The Problem with “I-messages” – Even effective tools can be misused and made ineffective. “In many ways, effective communication begins with mutual respect,[it’s] communication that inspires, [and] encourages others to do their best.” — Zig Ziglar, one of the world’s most successful motivational speakers What it’s Like Being Raised with Traditional I-messages You might know that I’m a second-generation parenting educator. So while I was growing up, my parents taught parenting classes at our church, where my mother was the Director of Christian... (Read More ...)

Effective Communication Skills:  How Can I Use Verbal and Nonverbal Communication Skills To Talk So Children Listen? Jennifer has 3 children ages 8, 12, and 16. She struggles getting any of them to listen and cooperate. Any time she tries to have a conversation with one of them about what needs done, they mumble or give her some teen code she has to look up, like “IKR Mom!  D” (Translation: “I Know, Right.”)  Later, when they don’t do what she asked, she wonders whether they didn’t understand what she meant or she didn’t understand their coded language! At times,  she... (Read More ...)