Communication Skills
Name one habit that helps people feel heard during a conversation.
Listening, eye contact, not interrupting, paying attention, asking questions, calm tone
Name three emotions people commonly feel at home.
Happy, angry, stressed, sad, frustrated, excited, lonely, anxious, calm
Name one strength this family has.
Love, humor, support, resilience, teamwork, loyalty, honesty
Name one healthy way to calm down during an argument.
Deep breathing, take a break, walk away briefly, count to ten, lower voice
Name one thing that helps you feel close to family.
Time together, laughter, support, hugs, honesty, activities
Give an example of an “I feel…when…” statement.
Any respectful feeling statement using emotion + behavior (ex: I feel hurt when I’m ignored)
How can you tell when someone is overwhelmed without them saying it?
Body language, silence, irritability, crying, tone change, isolating, pacing
What can make family relationships stressful at times?
Miscommunication, different expectations, schedules, conflict, feeling unheard, stress
What does compromise mean in a family conflict?
Both people give a little, meet in middle, fair solution, shared agreement
Give one genuine compliment to someone here.
Any sincere positive statement
What usually blocks communication in families?
Interrupting, yelling, assumptions, shutting down, sarcasm, defensiveness, not listening
What feeling do you struggle to express most, and why?
Any feeling + honest reason (fear, embarrassment, vulnerability, rejection, not used to sharing)
What helps people feel like they belong in a family?
Inclusion, respect, quality time, fairness, being heard, support
What is the difference between disagreement and disrespect?
Disagreement = different views; disrespect = rude behavior, insults, tone, name-calling
What is one way someone in this family shows love that may go unnoticed?
Providing, checking in, cooking, rides, protecting, helping, working hard
Describe a recent misunderstanding in the home. What could have been said differently?
Any real example + healthier communication such as clearer words, calm tone, asking instead of assuming
Share a time you felt hurt by someone in the family but did not say anything. What stopped you?
Any real example + reason such as fear of conflict, not feeling heard, wanting peace
Share one time you felt disconnected in this family. What would have helped?
Any honest example + support need such as listening, time together, invitation, understanding
Describe a recent conflict that could have ended better. What should each person have done differently?
Any real example + accountability and healthier responses
Share one hurt or disappointment you still carry in this family that has not been repaired.
Any honest unresolved hurt stated respectfully
Identify one repeating communication pattern in this family that causes tension. What would need to change to break that cycle?
Any honest family pattern + solution (listen more, pause, stop yelling, speak directly, apologize, clarify needs)
What emotion is most misunderstood in this family, and how does that misunderstanding impact relationships?
Any emotion + impact (anger hides hurt, sadness seen as weakness, stress mistaken for attitude, etc.)
What roles or patterns exist in this family (peacemaker, strict one, helper, quiet one, jokester, protector, etc.) and how do they impact relationships?
Any identified roles + effect on family functioning
What conflict pattern gets repeated in this family and what healthier replacement is needed?
Pattern such as yelling/shutdown/blame + healthier option like listening, pause, calm talk, repair
What relationship most needs healing right now, and what first step could begin that repair this week?
Any relationship + action step (talk, apology, time together, boundaries, honesty, listening)