You feel like you can't adequately express your emotions or thoughts to your father. Or perhaps you feel like you can't get him to listen to you no matter what you do. Improving your communication skills will help you open up the lines of communication with your dad. The communication skills you learn will also help you to have better, more satisfying relationships with friends and other family members.
Step 1
Develop your active listening skills. Focus on what your dad is really saying whenever you have a conversation. You may have developed the habit of tuning your dad out without even realizing it. According to the University of Delaware, you can develop greater empathy and understanding by trying to hear the emotions behind what your dad says.
Step 2
Use "I" statements when explaining how you feel. Try not to accuse your dad or blame him, no matter how justified you might feel. Be honest with your emotions, but try phrasing them in a non-accusatory way. Say "I feel bad because" or "I need you to listen to me" instead of "you make me feel bad" or "you never listen to me." This shows that you take responsibility for your feelings. You avoid placing blame or making accusations.
Step 3
Talk to your father with a respectful tone. Don't use a whiny or loud voice, even if you have something to say that's really bothering you. Using a respectful, conversational tone will increase the likelihood that your father will take you seriously and respect you in return.
Step 4
Find something to talk about every day. If you want to improve the lines of communication with your dad, start by developing a bond and finding common ground. According to Teens Health, talking about things that might seem trivial can help strengthen the bond for when you need to discuss something serious.
Step 5
Learn to compromise. You and your dad won't always see eye to eye. Compromising is sometimes necessary to make sure you both walk away getting at least some of your needs or wants met. Sometimes, you have to give something to get something. Try to meet in the middle.
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