Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught that “family councils are ideal forums for effective communication to take place.” They are, he explained, a time to “talk about the needs of the family and the needs of individual members of the family, … solve problems, make family decisions, [and] plan day-to-day and long-range family activities and goals.”
If you haven’t had a family council, you can start today. If you have children living with you, you can include them. However, it is also important that husbands and wives have a separate family council where they can discuss family and personal issues privately.
Here are some principles and practical suggestions you can apply to your family councils between husband and wife.
Talk about the Hard Stuff
“Every family has problems and challenges. But successful families try to work together toward solutions instead of resorting to criticism and contention.”