Family Roles Then & Now
Name one way families change as kids grow up.
Teens gain more independence.
Parents shift from controlling to guiding.
Responsibilities increase (chores, jobs, schoolwork).
Communication becomes more equal and open.
What does 'effective communication' mean?
Expressing thoughts clearly and respectfully.
Listening actively to understand, not just reply.
Keeping tone calm and body language open.
Solving problems, not creating them.
'You never listen to me!'
I feel unheard when I’m interrupted.
Can we talk when you’re not distracted
I want to explain my side, can you listen for a minute?
Parent says: 'Be home by 9:00.'
Okay, I’ll text if I’m running late.
Can I stay later if I check in first?
I’ll make sure to be on time.
Name on reason families argue
Stress or misunderstanding.
Lack of listening or patience.
Unclear expectations or rules.
Feeling unheard or disrespected.
Why do family rules change over time?
Maturity and trust increase.
Safety needs change.
Parents adapt as kids grow older.
Families learn what works and adjust expectations.
Name one nonverbal communication skill.
Eye contact.
Facial expressions.
Posture and gestures.
Tone of voice and space (personal distance).
'You’re so annoying!'
I need a little space right now.
I’m frustrated, can we talk later
I feel overwhelmed can we take a break?
'Please clean your room.'
I’ll do it after homework, does that work?
Sure, I’ll take care of it tonight.
Can I do it in the morning if I’m too tired?
What’s a benefit of good communication?
Builds trust and closeness.
Helps prevent conflicts.
Creates a positive, safe home environment.
Improves decision-making.
An example of something that stays the same in most families
Love and care for each other.
Basic respect and honesty.
Support during tough times.
Family traditions and values.
What is 'active listening'?
Paying full attention to the speaker.
Asking questions or summarizing to show understanding.
Avoiding interrupting or judging.
Showing empathy and focus.
'You always blame me!'
I feel blamed, and it makes it hard to talk.
Can we figure out what happened together?
I want to solve this, not argue.
'We worry when you don’t check in.'
I understand, I’ll call next time.
I didn’t mean to worry you.
I’ll be better about letting you know where I am.
How can substances affect communication?
They lower self-control and judgment.
Can lead to poor decisions or conflict.
Make it harder to listen or respond respectfully.
Cause emotional or physical harm.
How can change lead to miscommunication?
Different expectations between parents and teens.
Unclear boundaries about new freedoms.
Teens wanting independence too fast.
Parents not realizing their child has matured.
Why is body language important?
It shows emotion and attitude.
People believe actions more than words.
It can support or contradict what’s being said.
Helps others feel heard and respected.
'You’re always on my case!'
I know you care, but I feel pressured.
Can we set some boundaries so I can show responsibility?
Let’s agree on what’s fair and what’s not.
'You’re grounded for missing curfew.'
I get it, I should’ve told you where I was.
Can we talk about how I can earn back trust?
I understand the consequence, and I’ll do better.
What’s one way to improve listening skills?
Maintain eye contact.
Avoid interrupting.
Reflect back what you hear.
Stay calm even if you disagree.
What’s one way families can adapt to change?
Talk openly about what’s working or not.
Be flexible with routines and rules.
Show empathy and listen to each other.
Compromise when possible.
How does good communication prevent risky behavior?
Builds trust so you can talk about hard topics.
Helps families problem-solve together.
Encourages honesty and reduces secret-keeping.
Makes it easier to ask for help before making bad choices.
'You don’t understand me at all!'
Can I explain how I feel so you understand?
I want to share my side of things.
It feels like we’re not hearing each other — can we start over?
'What were you thinking?'
I made a mistake and I want to fix it.
I didn’t think it through, I’m sorry.
Here’s what I learned from it.
Difference between active and passive listening?
Active = engaged, showing interest and responding.
Passive = quiet but not really processing.
Active builds connection; passive can cause confusion.