Lets Talk. Tips for Healthy Family Communication
Today’s blog post is submitted by our featured guest contributor, Rachel Taylor, M.S. Enjoy the post and look forward to additional posts from Rachel.
Something I hear all the time when working with parents is how busy and stressed out they are. It seems like a trickle-down effect. Mom and Dad are stressed with work, social commitments, schedules, etc., and that in turn influences how they feel mentally and physically which shapes how they are able to interact with their children. It’s hard to be patient and take the time to listen when we’re feeling stressed out and pulled in too many directions! It is especially difficult to keep the lines of communication open and remain on the same page.
It can be incredibly difficult to find a time when the entire family is together to talk and share. Between work schedules and activities, the kids are involved with, it can be challenging to even eat one meal together. Setting up good habits and making family time a priority helps to keep everyone feeling connected and invested.
Healthy family communication is often comprised of the following:
- Communicating Frequently
- Communicating Clearly and Directly
- Being an Active Listener
- Thinking About the Person With Whom You Are Communicating
- Paying Attention to Nonverbal Messages
- Being Positive
It is important to remember that no family is perfect and there is no one right way to be a family. These tips are a great way to reflect on what is important for YOUR family and what things you would like to incorporate more and strengthen.