Be available for your children Notice times when your kids are most likely to talk—for example, at bedtime, before dinner, in the car—and be available. Start the conversation… View the rest of this article on the American Psychological Association website.
Describe the behavior. Disclose your feelings about it. Clarify the concrete effect it had on you. When describing the behavior… Be specific Be brief Don't make inferences Make it objective Sample assertion messages: "When you arrive late for work I get angry because I have to stay later to cover for you." "I felt very [...]
Phrases that may be useful in demonstrating your listening: Paraphrase It sounds like… It seems that… From you point of view… In your experience… From where you stand… As you see it… You think… What I hear you saying… I’m picking up that… Question Do you mean…. Do I understand you correctly… Can you tell [...]
Some people's lives seem like a soap opera. But though endless crises and confrontations can be entertaining on TV, they make for frustrating, unsatisfying lives. If you'd rather have peace of mind than daily dramas, you need to take charge of the script. "Learn to act for yourself instead of just responding to what's happening [...]
Most of us know that assertiveness will get you further in life than being passive or aggressive. But few of us were actually taught how to be assertive. Here are some helpful tips. Choose the right time. Imagine you’re dashing down the hall on your way to a meeting. Lisa passes by. You call out, [...]
Destructive communication erodes self-esteem and harms relationships. Such communication patterns may be destructive, but, sadly, plenty of people fall into the trap of indulging in them. If you and your relationship partners follow these rules and steer clear of the traps of destructive communication, you will almost certainly feel better about each other and your [...]