About Us
How our family meeting journey started
Greetings! I am Andrea Schindler. I am a mother, wife, teacher, aspiring stand up comic, and was Mrs. Virginia American 2023. I have been married to my husband Carl for 15 years and we have two amazing children and a Scottie named Rosie.
We are a military family of four who has lived all over the planet. Our lives have taken us to some really amazing places such as Hawaii, California, Washington D.C. and Japan! During COVID-19, our family was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. It was hard being in lockdown in a foreign country where we had restrictions on our movement enforced by both the country of Japan and our Navy base where my husband was serving. The days in our home all seemed to bleed together to the point where everyday felt the same. It was at this time we decided to implement a family meeting once a week. We chose Sunday evening after dinner as our weekly meeting time. We came together to share our highs and lows, celebrate each other, go over what we needed to do for the week, our activities, and upcoming events/ holidays. This became the start of what would turn into the most meaningful tradition our family shares.
It has been years since COVID-19 put all our lives on pause, but our family meeting was the best thing that came out of it. Once a week, we intentionally sit down and share our highs and lows, we celebrate each other, and we plan our lives. Family meetings have brought our children closer to us and made them feel like we are a team. As parents, my husband and I are able to hear what is effecting our kids and they play a role in planning our lives. I feel closer to my husband and children and I know family meetings are going to be a tradition my children share with their families someday.
My goal is to share the family meeting with everyone at no charge. I cannot gatekeep this amazing gift that has brought my family so close together. I hope you will follow our journey and use the tools here at fammeeting.com to bring your family close together too.
Book Me to Come Speak at Your Event
For non-profit groups, my services are free. I only charge a travel fee if outside the Hampton Roads Virginia area.
For all other groups, please click the button below. I will follow up with you and provide you pricing and booking options.
My experience as Mrs. Virginia American 2023
In June of 2023, I was crowned Mrs. Virginia American and went on to represent the commonwealth of Virginia in Las Vegas for the 2023 Mrs. American Pageant. My fellow contestants voted me Mrs. Congeniality, a title I was truly honored to receive. I spent my reign serving my state through raising money for domestic violence shelters, supporting Girls on the Run, and giving talks with Mothers of Preschoolers groups.