1. Become Creative: Spent time together as a family. Call your mate during the day and try to meet sometimes for lunch. Drive your kids to school or football practice so you can talk to them. Communication can happen anywhere, but it won’t happen unless you make it a priority
2. Identify Communication Killers: Internet, cell phones and TV are chief culprits. The average couple spends less than one hour a week in meaningful communication; they spent five times more each day watching television. This is the ‘screen test’ you will pass if you want to succeed at home.
3. Encourage Everyone To Speak Their Mind: And when they do, don’t criticize or retaliate. Differences of opinion are healthy. Handled right, they can make things better.
4. Be Conscious Of How You Interact With Your Family: You may have unwittingly adopted a style that stifles communication. Stop and consider; do you;
• Retaliate that has degrading effect
• Dominate that has an intimidating effect
• Isolate that has a frustrating effect
• Corporate that has an encouraging effect
If you in the habit of using any communication style other than a cooperative one, start working immediately to change it. You will have to, if you want build a good relationship with your family.
