Communication is the main foundation for any type of relationship. It’s an exchange of information, feelings, opinions, ideas, and emotions between people.
For communication to be considered healthy, any person involved needs to do their part effectively. Active listening and understanding are important components.
These things often come easier with friends and acquaintances, but seem to be more difficult amongst family members during certain stages of life. At the end of the day, having good family communication is important. Here’s why.
Communication Helps Establish Stronger Bonds
When you form good communication habits, it creates deeper connections and a stronger bond between family members. Just because you’re family doesn’t mean that you have an automatic bond with each other.
You’re each going to have your own opinions and beliefs, neither of which has to align one hundred percent of the time. In fact, you’re going to disagree. Communication will be hard at times.
Having that understanding that you can have conversation and still respect each other is what long-lasting relationships are made of. It’s what keeps the family bond together over years of milestones and hurdles.
Communication Increases Understanding
Having open conversation among family members allows each of you to share your feelings, your viewpoints, what you value, and what brings you joy. It’s through these practices that you can learn about each other, especially as everyone grows and dynamics start to shift.
When you gain an understanding of someone, you can learn to be more empathetic to their situation and also find a deeper appreciation for them. Communication broadens your perspective while offering education.
These are the people you come home to each day. If you don’t have this understanding with your family, it can make the home dynamic a stressful one.
Communication Improves Problem Solving
The typical family is going to go through ups and downs, disagreements and make ups, and everything in between. Life stressors will find their way into the household no matter what.
When you find yourself faced with an annoying issue, if left unresolved, it can snowball into a much larger issue. There’s a natural tendency to just ignore it or try not to confront it for fear of making it become bigger than it needs to be.
Not addressing situations won’t make them disappear. It can make feelings become stronger, but also turn into misunderstandings.
If your family has lines of communication open and is used to confronting issues, no matter how big or small, you can help build effective problem-solving skills. Working as a team can only serve your family unit in the best way. Trying to tackle issues individually will not have the same outcomes.
Communication Strengthens the Support System
This one is simple, yet often overlooked. Your family already has the foundation laid out to be your support system. It’s not always automatic and requires some nurturing, but they’re the people who are based in your corner to begin with.
When you’re in a situation where you find yourself struggling, needing some guidance, or needing some physical assistance, your family is a good place to start. If you have established the groundwork of good communication, they become an easy source to turn to.
You share your feelings and have important, sensitive discussions. It increases the ability and the manner in which you can support each other. Even in the instances where the situation is out of anyone’s hands, your family can be a someone to just sit and listen.
When you have good communication, you give each other the opportunity to help and receive genuine support in whatever form.
Is your family having difficulty finding footing for healthy communication lately? Contact us to learn more about how we can help you get on track with family therapy. Schedule an appointment with us today.
