Relationships with parents and family are often complicated, and lack of communication can be a major hurdle in bridging divides between family members. Armed with a few key communication strategies, however, you can help open up the lines of communication between your family members, and pave the way to a stronger, happier family.
Practice Honesty
Practice expressing your feelings in a calm manner. Be honest and let your family members know when you are upset or if something is bothering you, and also let them know when you are proud of them or feel happy because of something they did or said. You can't expect your family to be honest with you if you are not honest with them, so work on being sincere and open. Sometimes it is hard not to get upset or emotional when talking about something that evokes strong feelings, but try to stay as calm as possible while expressing your feelings. There is a fine line between honesty and rudeness or hurtful words, so try to remain respectful to yourself and your family.
Actively Listen
Listen to your parents and family members so they feel comfortable talking to you. When you are finished speaking, or if they initiate a conversation, listen carefully and do not interrupt. If you ignore them or tune out what they're saying, they'll be less likely to talk to you in the future, especially about important or hard-to-discuss topics. Listen actively, nodding, repeating their statements and asking questions to clarify or get more information. Strive to be nonjudgmental and open-minded about your family members' views, even if you do not agree with them. If you are a calm and attentive listener, your family will feel more comfortable opening up to you.
Family Time
Make time to sit down and talk with your family on a regular basis. Whether it's eating dinner together, going for a hike, or having a weekly movie and game night, be sure your family has some regular time together to enjoy each other's company and talk. Sometimes distance or work restraints make it impossible for all family members to physically be together in one room, but with the convenience of modern technology, there are many ways to stay in touch, including e-mail, texts, phone conversations, social media sites, digital photos and Skype video calls. If you are separated by distance, set aside a regular time to talk to your family in some form or other. You don't have to have a formal family meeting, but just having the time set aside for each other will help to keep the lines of communication open in case any urgent issues arise that need to be discussed. Regular family time also helps family members come to understand and appreciate each other more, as it allows everyone to see the other members' perspectives.
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