4 Ways to Effectively Communicate as a Family
Communication is a difficult skill to learn as a family. We love each other, but that doesn’t mean we’re naturally able to communicate effectively. And the last thing we want is to fall victim to misunderstandings and create rifts in our family because of it.
But that means we have to learn how to talk to each other. It means we have to practice communication until we get good at it. It’s not easy, but there are at least a few things we can keep in mind next time we start an important discussion with our family.
1. Stay Calm
If we want to communicate better, then we have to learn to stay calm. It’s very easy to get carried away and raise our voices. It’s possible we might begin to yell without realizing it. But that only makes the people around us more defensive.
Sometimes, it’s not easy, but if we feel like we won’t be able to keep our cool, we can always take a break. We warn our family we need one and take a moment to calm down. Whatever discussion we’re having can be resumed later when everyone is clear-headed and less likely to lash out.
2. No Assumptions
The most important thing to remember is that the people we love can’t read our minds, and we can’t read theirs. It doesn’t matter how long we’ve known each other or how intuitive they are.
Instead of assuming, what we can do is just speak openly. We can explain to others what we’re thinking and tell them what we’re feeling. And, in turn, we can encourage them to do the same. It’s far easier to solve problems when we don’t have to assume what’s bothering the other person.
3. Listen Carefully
Listening is an important skill, but it takes effort and focus. It means that when others are talking to us, we need to be able to give them our full attention. We can’t look at our phones or keep watching TV at the same time.
It also means we have to genuinely listen to what we’re being told without thinking about how we will reply to what they’re saying. We need to listen carefully. At most, we can ask for clarification if we’re not sure we understand something. Otherwise, we might miss important things, and the family member we’re talking to may feel unheard. In the future, they may not try to communicate with us again, and that’s the last thing we want.
4. Avoid Labels
When discussions are rough, it can be easy to fall into labeling. We call each other negative things, like lazy or disorganized, and things get out of hand in a matter of minutes. Everyone feels resentful and defensive, and good communication isn’t an option anymore.
That’s why we have to avoid labels when discussing difficult topics, especially when talking to our children. We need to make sure what we’re criticizing isn’t the person but the behavior we dislike. This is a much better way to communicate.
Communication Matters
Communication is not an easy skill to learn. We want to do our best for our children, and that means letting them know we love them and. they can talk to us whenever they need to. But sometimes they won’t, and that’s okay.
But if our kids don’t want to talk to us, then it might be time for us to consider counseling. A good counselor that’s used to working with children can not only help our kids in the long run, but they can also help us communicate better as a family. And isn’t that what we want? Contact Fox Child and Family Therapy today to learn more about our practice and schedule your first therapy session. Reach us now, 913-229-5691.