A
female
age
36-40,
anonymous
writes:I'm having communication issues. I am co-chair for a young single adults activity group, known as the young single adult family home evening, in my church. They call me and my male counterpart "Mom" and "Dad". Well, "Dad" isn't communicating with me and I'm having trouble communicating with him. It seems as if he has trouble slowing down long enough to notice I'm trying to speak with him and I'm too quiet to grab his attention for more than a second. What can I do? I really want to do my part but how can I suggest things and help plan activities when we're such opposite personalities? And he seems to continuously go to his closest friend for planning instead of me, which frustrates me. What can I do without being rude or a kill joy? Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, Tisha-1 +, writes (4 June 2008):
 One more thought on this; take command of the chalkboard or writing pad on the easel, you then control what gets written down and how the flow of the planning goes. If there is not one in the room you meet in, ask for one.
It's a great way to take a bit of control back!
A
female
reader, Tisha-1 +, writes (4 June 2008):
Sorry for not getting back to this question earlier. I bookmarked it so I would remember to try to help you.
Have a peek at this answer I just gave, because it may be useful for you too.
http://www.dearcupid.org/question/how-can-i-be-more-confident-at-uni.html
It's all about getting yourself heard and being taken seriously. Stop smiling too much and stand up and move around the room when it's your turn to talk.
Deeper tone of voice is good to practice too, get a recording device and practice your speaking tone.
You're going to have to jump in there when you're being ignored, I'm afraid, and just be clear and simple and don't let them talk over you.
You could try to make it a joke, looks like Mom is not getting the respect she needs to help plan things, but I would nix the mom/dad idea, because usually dads have the last word....
Another book to look at is 'You Just Don't Understand, Women and Men in Conversation.' Loads of good advice and no judgement from a reliable professor. It's cheap used, by the way, so look online, you don't need to spend a lot of money on it.
Hope this helps.
...............................
|
