- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- dads today articles
- dads today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Relations Rift
When Conflict Divides the Family
By Carma Haley Shoemaker
"A willingness can serve as a springboard to explore various ways of resolving the disagreement," Dr. Karres says. "Also it helps to have a mediator, that is, someone both conflicting family members feel free to talk to."
Courtney Knowles of the Equality in Marriage Institute offers the following tips for starting a conversation to repair a relationship:
- Bring up the Subject in a Positive Manner: No one likes to be accused or belittled. If you need to have a conversation with a family member about a sensitive issue, broach the subject from a positive point of few. Don't start right off pointing out problems or negative areas because this only creates a defensive environment.
Choose the Right Time and Place: When you plan your "meeting" or "discussion time" with a partner or family member, do it carefully. Choose a time and place that is not stressful and offers the least distractions. - Focus on Solutions: Don't let your conversation go round and round. If it becomes a finger pointing contest, stop the cyclical discussion and suggest you both bring up compromises that would solve the situation.
- Give Yourself a Time-out Card: There is no need to bicker with no direction or focus. If the conversation gets out of hand, feel free to play a "time-out" card and postpone the conversation until a more productive time.
Irreconcilable Differences
What if, after many attempts, a conflict still cannot be reslved. What options are best? Cutting ties? Avoidance? Or maybe following the advice "if at first you don't succeed..."
