The toolbox (Communication Skills)
Line in the sand
(Boundaries)
Check the engine
(Self-regulation)
Red Flags/Green Flags
Cooling the flame
(Conflict Resolution)
100

The act of paying full attention to the speaker in order to understand the message they are sending. Involves using our ears, eyes, and body language

Active listening

100

This two-letter word is considered a "complete sentence" when setting a boundary.

No

100

This 4-letter acronym helps you check if you are too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired to have a serious talk.

H.A.L.T

100

This "Green Flag" happens when someone does what they say they are going to do, building trust over time.

Consistency/reliability/integrity/etc

100

A physical or emotional "reset" where both parties agree to stop talking for 20 minutes to calm down.

"Taking a time out"

"walking away"

200

A type of statement that focuses on the speaker's feelings rather than the other person. The speaker takes responsibility for their emotions and communicates their needs.

Can help reduce defensiveness in other person.

 

"I" statements

Ex: "I feel pressured when I have to make a decision right away. I need more time to process things."

200

These are the three main styles of communication: Passive, Aggressive, and __________.

Assertive

200

Something that reminds you of a painful past experience and causes an unwanted emotional and/or behavioral response in you

Trigger

200

This "Red Flag" involves a person checking your private text messages, emails, or social media without your permission.

Violation of privacy/controlling behavior

200

This is the ultimate goal of a healthy argument: it’s not "Me vs. You," it’s "Us vs. the __________."

Problem

300

A type of question that requires more than a yes/no answer

Open-ended question

300

This type of boundary refers to your physical body, your personal space, and who is allowed to touch you.

Physical boundary

300

A coping skill that involves focusing on and regulating your breath in order to calm yourself down

Deep breathing/box breathing/breathing exercises

300

When two people in a relationship can disagree without calling each other names or using insults, they are showing this "Green Flag."

Mutual respect/understanding

300

This is the "Give and Take" skill where both people give up a little bit of what they want to reach an agreement.

Compromise

400

Instead of guessing what someone means, you could ask a clarifying __

question

400

True or False: Setting a boundary is meant to control someone else's behavior.

False—it’s about stating what you will or will not accept in a relationship and what you will do if that boundary is violated

400

This is the act of leaving a heated situation temporarily to calm down, with the promise to return later.

Taking a "time-out"/walking away

400

This "Red Flag" describes a partner who tries to keep you away from your supportive friends or family members.

Isolation

400

True or False:

When discussing a problem with our partner, we should bring up past issues that we are also frustrated about.

False. 

A "fair fighting" tip: stick to one topic at a time. 

500

DISCUSSION 

If you are too angry to speak kindly, what is one way you can "hit the pause button" before responding?

Discussion points are awarded for participation and honesty :)

500

DISCUSSION

What is the hardest part about maintaining a boundary with a family member/close fried versus someone you just met/a stranger?

Points awarded based on participation :)

500

DISCUSSION

Why is it harder to use your communication "tools" when your body is in "Fight or Flight" mode?

Points awarded based on participation

500

DISCUSSION

Is it a Red Flag if someone has different values than you (for example, regarding money or religion), or is that just a "difference"? How do you tell the difference?

Participation points :)

500

DISCUSSION

How do you know when a conflict is "productive" versus just "venting"?

Participation points