We have a huge problem going on in our house right now.
And it deals with being intentional when you communicate.
And maybe you can relate.
And maybe starting sentences with “and" is a huge grammar issue too, but work with me here.
Here is my dilemma and attempted solution, because you know..I think I’m a communication expert.
Everyone in the family is in their own bubble. They do what they want to do, have their own agenda, and never have time to accomplish the things that keep us harmonius as a unit.
Madelyn is wrapped up in her sports and driving, and doing what she can to maximize fun when she’s not maximizing effort on the soccer field.
Cooper is wrapped up in soccer, making pickles, baking, and maximizing fun until school begins.
Steph is working her butt off at her job, and making sure the kids have what they need. My idol.
Glenn’s bubble is that radio thing, cooking, cleaning, shopping, and yard work.
Carter’s job is to make sure nobody yells and if they do, that they don’t get divorced. It’s his first thought and it kills me more than you know.
Perhaps you have a similar set-up in your house…and on paper, it can seem perfectly normal. Everyone with a role, kids being kids, and parents..being parents.
But the problem is not with what you’re actively doing, it’s how you communicate while you’re doing it.
Tensions run high, because when you stay in your bubble and you’re kicking butt, you expect validation for your contributions. Validation doesn’t always need to come in the form of a pat on the back and a fake “good job buddy” if you don’t mean it. Sometimes validation just comes in the form of..
Not being an a******
Everyone is quick to judge what the other is not doing. Even though the list above sounds like we all are contributing, there is always more that can be done.
Rooms need cleaning, sports need discipline, relationships need more than couch time..
And then there’s the whole communication thing.
We are all quick to critique, and less quick to provide positive verbal praise.
We are all quick to being put-out, instead of putting in to the greater good of the family.
The results of bubble-living.
So I, the communication expert, had decided that a daily text could accomplish a few things..
Be motivating.
Be kind.
Be encouraging.
Eliminating the “It wasn’t on the iPhone calendar conversation.
Communicate what we all are doing, what chores need to be done, include a picture of the day of us being a happy family, and making sure we are all on the same page.
And then phones aren’t charged, and so and so was busy, and something came up, and..
Communication gets ugly..when the intent was to avoid communication problems.
So when you are at your brink and it seems like no one hears you, here is my suggestion.
Control what you can control..YOUR tone, YOUR effort..YOUR positivity.
And as my boss says, less is more..Attention spans are short. Can you fit your message over the ramp of Don’t Stop Believin'?
By the way, it’s 17 seconds.
A rule I clearly broke with this blog.
Lead with being more God-like, positive, and happy. If I was as aware the 20 hours a day when I’m not on-air, do you know how I could change the world?
Do you know what you could accomplish?
All my best as you figure out life and the relationships in it
XOXO Glenn