My mom is someone who is very intolerant of other ways of doing things.  She is committed to the idea that her version of right and wrong is the way all people should live and behave.  She believes that being equal with her grandchildren is fair when in fact each person in our family has very different needs or wants.  I try to select the topics carefully so that we can stay on areas of common interests.  I can relate to Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote, “We have to face the fact that either all of us are going to die together or we are going to live together, and if we are going to live together, we have to talk. (Beebe, Beebe, & Redmond, 2010, p. 104”   It is critical to maintain the lines of communication.

            I try to match my verbal language to the context.  I know this is extremely important as I have seen my son’s inability to do this and fully understand how important it is to be able to do so.  Being able to be flexible and be adaptable is critical to being a good communicator. 

            I have also learned how the timing can impact your effectiveness.  Watching for the right verbal and non verbal cues given by others can help you decide where and when to jump in.