{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"256. LIVE Family Check-In with My 9-Year-Old (Family Brand Method)","description":"In this episode of the Family Brand Podcast, Melissa sits down with a very special guest\u2014her nine-year-old daughter, Indie\u2014to do something the Smith family does every single week: a family check-in. Instead of just talking about the concept, they actually walk through a real check-in live on the podcast, giving listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how these simple conversations help their family stay connected and intentional. The Smith family has a weekly rhythm where they gather for a short family meeting and individual check-ins with each child. The goal isn\u2019t to lecture or correct behavior\u2014it\u2019s simply to connect. During these conversations, they ask a few consistent questions: What\u2019s important to you this week? How can we support you? What goals do you want to set in different areas of your life? By creating space for these conversations regularly, it helps each child feel seen, supported, and understood. In the episode, Indie shares what matters most to her right now\u2014things like riding her horse Stella, skateboarding outside, and planning time with friends. She also sets a few small goals for the week across four areas the family focuses on: spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social. These goals don\u2019t have to be complicated. Sometimes they\u2019re as simple as working on a church talk, learning more about national parks for homeschool, doing a short workout, or planning a get-together with friends. The point isn\u2019t perfection\u2014it\u2019s helping kids build awareness and intention around how they spend their time. Melissa also explains that these check-ins often include a small weekly challenge and, of course, something fun like a treat or snack. Over time, the routine has helped their kids open up about what\u2019s happening in their lives. Because the conversation happens consistently each week, the kids know they have a safe place to talk about goals, struggles, and ideas they\u2019re thinking about. As Indie puts it simply, check-ins help the week feel less chaotic. Instead of just reacting to whatever happens, the family gets a chance to pause, get clear about what matters, and support each other. And sometimes the most important outcome isn\u2019t the goals themselves\u2014it\u2019s the reminder that everyone in the family has a voice and someone who cares about what\u2019s important to them.   LINKS: All Links Family Brand!  stan.store\/familybrand familybrand.com\/quiz familybrand.com\/retreats.   Links For This Episode: Family Meeting Playbook: http:\/\/familybrand.com\/meeting  Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 \u2013 Introducing today\u2019s special guest: Indie 01:05 \u2013 Meet Indie: homeschool, horses, and being the youngest 02:10 \u2013 How this podcast episode came together 02:45 \u2013 What family check-ins are and why the Smith family does them 03:40 \u2013 Where to download the Family Brand meeting guide 04:10 \u2013 Creating a relaxed environment for check-ins (beds, snacks, candy) 06:20 \u2013 Question #1: What\u2019s important to you this week? 07:10 \u2013 Writing down what matters and tracking it as parents 07:45 \u2013 Question #2: How can we support you this week? 08:35 \u2013 Setting weekly goals in four areas of life 08:50 \u2013 Spiritual goal example (church talk) 09:20 \u2013 Intellectual goal example (learning about national parks) 09:55 \u2013 Physical goal example (workouts and staying active) 11:05 \u2013 Social goal example (spending time with friends) 11:50 \u2013 The weekly challenge and why it matters 13:10 \u2013 Examples of past challenges with kids 14:15 \u2013 More examples of goals kids can set 16:10 \u2013 Why check-ins bring clarity to the week 17:10 \u2013 Following through on what kids say is important 18:20 \u2013 Using check-ins to support kids\u2019 goals 19:00 \u2013 Indie\u2019s biggest advice: always include a treat 19:40 \u2013 Why consistency makes check-ins easier over time 20:20 \u2013 Kids opening up about bigger challenges 21:10 \u2013 Funny examples from older siblings\u2019 check-ins 22:00 \u2013 Final encouragement to try check-ins with your family   ","author_name":"Family Brand: Take Back Your Family","author_url":"https:\/\/familybrand.com\/","html":"