Amongst my mother’s things I found a couple old notebooks which contained the minutes from our family meetings between June 1964 and October 1971. Talk about buried treasure! I typed them up and sent them out to my siblings so they could join me in this walk down memory lane.
My father was the president, Mom was vice-president, and our oldest sister, Leslie, was the secretary. She would have been almost 11 at the beginning, and 18 years old by the time we had our last meeting. The meetings were fairly sporadic, although I think the goal was to meet every month. Everybody in the family attended.
The purpose was to allow for family discussions about chores, allowance, TV privileges, vacation ideas, general complaints, family plans, etc. Some things were voted upon; other things were decided by parental decree. The secretary formed her own version of shorthand to communicate the essentials. The minutes give a charming glimpse into our family life, at least I find it charming.
Below are some sample entries (not complete minutes) to give you an idea of our family culture.
June 18, 1964.
We had a subject on the use of the basement. Mom and Dad want us kids to ask them before we go down. They decided the number of how many should be down. The limit was four. No arguments are to be had. Private discussions.
September 1, 1964.
We had a subject on jobs for the winter. After supper Lynn will take out chairs, others alternate three jobs: Dishes, wiping dishes, and sweeping. We alternate day by day.
School supplies. On first day come home. Tell what need, then buy.
October 23, 1965.
We had the Secretary’s report. We had Treasurer’s report. No allowance if jobs aren’t right, or if there is too much static. There was old business.
Halloween costumes:
1. Paul = bum
2. David = hobo
3. Lynn = clown
4. Sarah = pirate
5. Leslie = undecided.
September 3, 1966
The meeting was called to order by the president. Minutes were corrected. Treasury was approved. New allowances:
1. Lynn – 20 cents
2. David – 40 cents
3. Paul – 50 cents
4. Leslie – 60 cents
No grum. or gr. with mo. regular jobs. Lynn helps more in kitchen.
Television
1. Preview weeks 3-17 of September
2. One show a week per person
3. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays
4. Right attitude
5. You can watch when you’re sick at home.
November 11, 1966.
The meeting was called to order by the president. Secretaries report was approved. Treasurers report was approved.
Each child plans a family night.
Xmas – give small presents to each member of the family.
Family plans – skiing, sledding, public library, field trips, natural history museum, Swedish institute, art museum.
April 2, 1967
The formalities of the meeting were satisfactory.
O.B.
Didn’t go to library.
N.B.
D.B. wants to go to the library.
Le.B. had a complaint. It was overruled.
January 7, 1968
Secretary and Treasurer’s reports given and corrected as needed.
Complaint Session.
Daddy – kids be more polite to each other.
Lynn – Sarah doesn’t help too much with the sweeping.
David – Sarah kicks too much.
Meeting was adjourned. It was followed by a session of games and charades, after which it deteriorated.
June 9, 1968.
Old Business. Can’t go to N. Y. Because Aunt Betty’s family is moving in June instead of August. Present plan for summer vacation is: Park Rapids, then Duluth, camp along the way. St. Croix. Mabel Lake.
Summer routine.
More consideration for house, more help, less grumpy.
Meal time – regular assignments for every meal we have together. Be responsible for your place. Put milk away, etc..
No big fusses about extra jobs. Trading on individual stuff. Careful of lights and water. Try to keep fighting down. Be considerate! (Or else!)
October 17, 1971
New business:
Mom wants us to join in the picking-up project. Also in putting-down project (a corollary of previous project.)
Sarah wants family night Sunday night. We amended it to 4–7 and made it optional. “Let’s be flexible.”
Meeting adjourned against strenuous protest.
And that was the way our last meeting ended, “against strenuous protest,” a phrase which makes me laugh. One wonders what the protest was about. Or why we didn’t have any more meetings after that. I love that my parents made that a part of our family life for a time. We had a lot of fun together as a family, in spite of the occasional bickering and fighting.
he made it in high school.
I will have to delete this in the morning against strenuous protest!
Lynniebeemuseoday 
that was fun to read. We didn’t have anything like that in our family growing up, but besides my parents, it was just my sister and I. My parents set the chore roster and the rules. They were very faithful getting our family to church, together, every Sunday and other church activities. That’s what I appreciate most about them and my childhood.
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It’s good to look back and appreciate those things, isn’t it? ❤️
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I remember wanting to do something with you…6th or 7th grade? Most likely 7th. I don’t remember the activity, but after discussing it with your mother, she said, “no, it’s family night tonight.” The following day you said you didn’t have a family night that night after all.
I was impressed (and still am) by your mother’s leadership and spunk to say “no” when (it seems) she thought we had enough and it was time for you to spend some time at home. I thought that even though I was sad we couldn’t do whatever it was we wanted to do. Your mother was one of two (especially) that I really respected (other than my own mother). The other was Lori’s mother.
I wanted to have a family night/conference night with our children, but it was voted down!
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That’s such an interesting memory! I don’t remember it, so I’m glad you do. Yes, I suspect that Mom wanted me to prioritize our family time at home. Family Nights were different than our family meetings. We planned special games and activities for those nights. I’m thankful that your memory of my mom was a positive one, especially after the disappointment of being told no!
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