Parents

Children & Parenting: Communication

Effective communication is critical in every aspect of a person's life. Communication skills influence relationships in families, children, friends and at work. Good communication helps build relationships in good times, and mend relationships in difficult times. These skills include speaking as well as listening and nonverbal communication.

• Nonverbal body language can make up as much as 55% of what we communicate, our voice and tone 38%, and the words we say merely 7% of the meaning that gets across.

Family communication - Family members need to practice positive communications. Positive communication smooths out the bumps in the road and is

•   respectful,
•   open,
•   honest,
•   straight-forward and
•   kind.

Handling conflict and anger - Wherever human interactions exist, there is a potential for conflict and anger to arise. Conflict can lead to either breakdown in the relationship, the family, friendship, or work environment, or it can lead to creative solutions and improved relationships.

Anger is a normal, human emotion that can be intense. Everyone gets angry on occasion. The trick is to manage emotions in such a way that positive actions are mobilized and not negative ones. Typically anger is a response to one of many specific things.

Related NebGuides:*

Open the Door to Good Communication

Listening with your Heart

Creating a Strong Family: Listening and Speaking from the Heart

Positive Communication: Smoothing out the Bumps in Family Life

Our Relationship...and Communicating Effectively

Positive Communication: Wants Never End

Managing Conflict in Everyday Life

Manage Anger for a Healthy Life

Positive Communication: Life as a Soap Opera

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This article has been written and reviewed by UNL Extension Educators and Specialists.