Family Issues (1F-6)

Communication

Recognizing Roadblocks

NameDate

Assignment 

Listed below are perfect ways to stop all communication. These are ways to shut kids up or open them up and they are things we all do! What is wrong with these fifteen statements? How could they have been better stated? How do they stop communication?

Label each statement as: J=Judging, O=Ordering, M=Moralizing, R=Ridiculing, K=The Know-It-All (Solving the Problem)

1. Why can't you be like Billy? He never talks back to me.                                
2. Go to your room now and don't come back until you can act your age.                                       
3. You probably don't like school because you're always getting in trouble.                                
4. Look what a good boy you are picking up all the toys.                                   
5. You only feel that way because your friends say it is the thing to do.                                   
6. It is your duty to tell the truth - I can't help if you are afraid.                               
7. Who do you think you are?                                     
8. Have you thought about talking it over with your counselor? Perhaps she will                 understand.                                          
9. When I was your age I never had the opportunities you have.                                         
10. The next time I see you hitting your brother you'll get sent to your room.      
11. You're acting this way because you want attention.   
12. Poor little baby ... you bump your finger... come let me kiss it for you. 
13. Don't be silly Jimmy, of course I like you