Contributor
CAROLE BLACKMON
Manager of Professional Development and Instructor
As we look forward to finally ending 2020, and hopefully starting a better 2021, what do you wish for your family?
It is fair to assume good health is probably top on everyone’s list! How will your family come out stronger after this crazy year? An important key to keeping every family strong is through improving face-to-face communication.
While we are spending a lot more time together with our families these days, that does not mean we are having quality face-to-face communication. Everyone is on their own devices, even if they are in the same room. My son texted me to ask what was for dinner. He was sitting 10 feet away from me!
Screens are not the only issue. Sometimes, when we are spending more time together, it is easier to just avoid talking face-to-face. We do not want to disrupt the balance we have established. Perhaps you have other children that constantly need attention, and never stop talking. This crazy world may have stirred up fear and they are demonstrating it through their behavior.
I would like to challenge you to build the communication skills in your family.
- Eat dinner as a family. Ask each family member to share their highs and lows for the day.
- Consider planning a weekly family meeting to develop goals, share news, and celebrate successes.
- Include a TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) nurture group once a month in the family meetings to increase bonding.
- Practice giving and receiving constructive feedback with each other.
- Encourage family members to share openly. Home is a safe place.
- Role play Conscious Discipline Conflict Resolution Skills.
- Remember, when conflict occurs, to follow the Fair Fighting Rules!
