Parenting & Communication Styles
Communication styles and habits are significantly influenced by a multitude of factors like:
- Culture
- Age
- Personality traits
- Education and life experience
- Social norms
- Religious beliefs and traditions
- Even the region of the country where you live
It is important to recognize that communication is not limited to speech and verbal engagement or social exchanges. Nonverbally, we communicate heavily across social media and tech platforms like texting, email, and written correspondence. Have you ever sent a text message, posted something online, or sent off an email at work and it was received negatively, even though you intended to communicate a more positive message? Most of us have, and this is a good example of how our intended messages can be misinterpreted in various means of communication.
Body language, gestures, and facial expressions are all external modes by which we communicate our thoughts, feelings, and needs to others. It is normal human behavior to have more of an awareness about the content of what we are communicating and much less awareness of the process through which we are communicating or presenting it. It’s not always what you say but how it sounds, feels, and looks when you say it.
Learning how to effectively and clearly communicate is important in all areas of life- home, family, friends, and work. By understanding and improving communication in the home, between parents, and children you can model healthy communication to your children in their best interest. They will learn to effectively meet their needs, approach conflict proactively, and fully experience connection with others.
