Sometimes the biggest barrier that stands between families is communication. Communication helps you stay in touch with family members and get everyone on the same page. There are many things that can stand in the way of open communication within a family unit, explains Medline Plus, such as parents living separately, drug or alcohol addiction, mental illness and conflicting work and school schedules.
Designate Time
Have a designated time frame in which parents and children can come together to communicate, explains the Family Communication website. Whether it is about a major issue facing the family, such as a move or divorce, or simply deciding on where your next family vacation will be held, get everyone together at the same time. Choose one time of the week that everyone is available. Stress how important it is for everyone to be there. Have a game night, eat dinner together, or go walking at your favorite park. As long as you are all together and have the time to devote to each other, you will find yourselves strengthening the family bond. The closer the bond, the easier it is to communicate about personal or family issues during these occasions.
Open Discussion
An open discussion should be a type of communication in an open forum setting. By bringing everyone together, you can hear what everyone has to say about a particular problem or concern facing a family member or friend. This is a good way to demonstrate active listening, because you have everyone’s attention and you can easily relay the message you are trying to send. As a parent, allow children to say what they want to say without holding back. You may form an opinion, but try to be non-judgmental until he tells you all aspects of any issue he is discussing. For example, if it is about being able to go on a road trip with his friends for two weeks, let him state his case. You may find that he is aware of the consequences or things that could wrong during the trip. The Family Communications website explains that letting your child know about rules means you care about his feelings, safety and well-being. If there are other family members involved, get their opinions, too. If you work on a solution together, your teen will be more likely to come to you when he wants to do something rather than leaving without permission or doing something behind your back.
Parental Decisions
Both parents, even in divorced families, should be in agreement when it comes to making decisions about their children. The University of Delaware states that establishing strong lines of communication as parents helps balance the child's and the family's needs. Not every parent will agree on how to raise a child, or what type of care is best for the child. Bargaining is an important part of decision-making when communicating with each other, and it can prevent conflict. If it is about parenting time, state your case. You may be unwilling to let your child visit a friend's house on your parenting weekend, but be willing to compromise. If both parents keep openly communicating about a child's needs, it will be easier to accommodate changes during situations that are not part of the normal routine.
