Communication and Counsel

 Have you ever heard of a family counsel?

Family counsels go a little something like this: Dad and Mom call the kids into the living room. They give the announcement that they will be moving and they have three different options of places they will go. The parents give the pros and cons to each place, and ask the children what their thoughts are. This doesn't mean that the parents aren't going to do whatever the popular vote is if they don't feel it's right, but it gives the kids insights into what is going on, and also helps them feel as if they get a say in the decision of the family. Why are counsels so effective?

Counsels in families it gives an opportunity for open communication. Each child, and parent, get to give their opinion and share their feelings and reasons for why the feel that one decision would be a good option. Each family member gets to feel like they are part of the decision rather than having a decision being forced upon them. Even if the parents don't pick what most of their children felt was good, they are able to explain to them openly why they made the choice that they did in a loving way. Family counsels give family member the ability to communicate openly.

If you are religious, you may consider opening and closing your family counsel with a prayer. Couples should also counsel together frequently to build their relationships as well as to make final decisions for their family.

Family counsels also help children to know in their own personal situations that they are able to come to their parents with problems. When open communication is part of the family system, it gives family members the confidence that they can confide, and problem solve with other family members instead of bottling up problems.

Try implementing family counsels into your family for a greater problem solving capacity.