Enhancing Family Communication in the New Year
The New Year is a great time to begin enhancing family communication. Effective communication is essential for close relationships, and there are several strategies you can incorporate in your daily life to progress toward this goal.
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Practice Active Listening: Active listening involves paying close attention to the speaker and reflecting back their words to validate their feelings. Other important things to consider include:
- Making eye contact to show engagement
- Allowing the speaker to talk by not interrupting
- Asking clarifying questions to ensure understanding
- Create Technology-Free Spaces: Technology can distract us from engaging in meaningful conversations by pulling us away from the present moment. Some ways to set boundaries around screen use include:
- Designating certain areas of the house as phone-free
- Encouraging less screen time in the evenings
- Family Activities: Regular family activities help build teamwork and communication skills, while also being a fun way to spend time together. For example, game nights can be a tradition for family bonding. Some examples of collaborative and problem-solving games include:
- Scrabble
- Monopoly
- Pictionary
- Guess who
- Regular Family Check-Ins: Scheduled check-ins as a family provides a positive and productive space to reflect on the week, address family concerns, and celebrate milestones. This also provides an opportunity to practice active listening and work toward the shared goal of fostering healthy communication.
Start the new year strong by committing to improving the family environment through better communication! Each small step you take can help you build a more connected and communicative family environment, fostering long-lasting close bonds.
