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Families that communicate effectively and clearly find that they have fewer misunderstandings and hurt feelings. This does not mean that they do not have conflict. All families have disagreements. Sometimes people are tired or stressed. Sometimes they hold things inside to spare another person's feelings. This may cause resentment and anger. Healthy family communication takes time, energy and practice. However, the benefits of a loving and trusting home environment are well worth the effort.
In today's hectic world, families need to purposely set aside time for clear communication between family members. Some families use mealtime as the time to talk. Others set up a regular "family meeting" time to air their issues together. It is important that the TV, phone, or other distractions not interrupt this time. The focus of this time is talking and listening. Family members try to listen without judging, share their feelings, and approach problems with an open mind. Effective communication focuses on "I" statements. An "I" statement tells how the speaker feels without blaming another person. Effective communicators do not put down others. This makes it safe to speak openly. These communication skills take practice. Many of us need help beginning to communicate in this way. The first step is for everyone in the family to agree to try. The next step might be to get a book on healthy communication at the library or bookstore. Finally, there is family counselling if the old communication habits just won't go away. Don't get discouraged. Healthy communication skills will come with practice. Article #6722 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
