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Relationship Topics
Dialogue — The Key to Family Harmony
More Hints for Good Dialogue
• The important thing is to remember that everyone’s answer must be acceptable just as it is said. If a person seems to be joking or fooling around, that probably just means he or she is nervous. Maybe he or she thinks criticism will follow, so he or she draws the fire on silly answers. Just let those answers stand. In time, that person will see it is safe to give honest answers that bring acceptance and appreciation. Then the goofiness will fall away.
• Sit back and relax. This is dialogue — a time to learn, a time to relate — not a time to solve problems. Enjoy it. Don’t feel pressure to control or change people.
• Make sure that the family asks a lot of questions to clarify what is being communicated. Usually the best question is “Why?”
• Don’t steal another person’s limelight. And please don’t criticize the manner in which somebody says something.
— Dick Wulf, MSW, LCSW
Dick Wulf is a professional Christian counselor, psychotherapist and clinical social worker with over 37 years of experience. Formerly the program director of the Pikes Peak Mental Health Center in Colorado Springs, Dick is the author of Find Yourself — Give Yourself and the Family Conversation Tool Kits.
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