Sharing decision-making with children ... does anyone do this?

[roisin]

I mean the semi-formal sort of 'sit round the table and discuss ... where we are going to go on holiday ... or what our house rules should be ... or ...'

I think I've read about this sort of thing, but don't know anyone who does it. Does it work? What are the advantages? Pitfalls?

better add that 'sometimes' i EVEN allow them to choose things i don't like.....just read my first post and realised i sounded like i only let them say/do what i want!!! As IF!!!!!

Thanks all - this is going really well for us. We drafted some 'house rules', and this does seem to have had a positive impact.

We also sat down and had a (short) meeting to discuss what things they wanted to do during half term, so that we could make some plans.

I still feel there's a lot of manipulation from me. But they seem to really appreciate being asked for their opinions, and it has brought up some interesting things.

For example on the house rules they have put:
"We do not break up anyone else's (Lego/K'nex) models"
This is apparently one of their biggest grievances, and isn't targeted at each other, but at me (under the excuse of tidying up). So I now feel duly chastened