1. Breaking The Cycle After realizing there are too many arguments, you must break the cycle. There are two points of view, yours and your parents’. Ineffective Communication Independence versus Dependence Understanding why the conflict occurs will help you to break the cycle of continuous fighting.

2. Style of Communication Starting the conversation or request Things to notice during the arguments: Criticism Defensiveness Contempt Ignoring Notice the patterns

3. What Can I Do? While you can’t make your parents change their behaviors, you do have the power to change your behaviors Decreasing the number of arguments. Avoid criticizing, being defensive to, being rude to, or ignoring your parents. Self timeouts Talking calmly and respectfully, Listen, and Be honest Compromise

4. What Can I Do? Cont. After the argument Apologize Make-up Do something fun together; laugh together

5. Families Are Safe Disagreements can be Healthy Disagreements teach Social Skills Negotiation Listening and hearing other’s perspectives Compromising Disagreements in the family Disagreements can be healthy, but continuous fighting is NOT.

6. It is now time to engage in the Activities

7. Wrap-up What was the importance of today’s session? What do negative patterns in fighting look like? How can you Repair your relationship after an argument? What have you learned today and how can this be applied in your own home?