Sharing how you feel, and listening when others are talking, makes it easier to understand what everyone needs and decide what to do next. Here are some tips to help:

• Repeat what the other person said to show them that you are trying to understand them. Try starting your sentences with, ‘What I am hearing you say is…’ or ‘Do you mean to say that…?’.
• Let the other person finish talking before you reply, even if you disagree.
• Let the other person know that their feelings and thoughts are important, even if you have a different opinion.
• You can find more tips on how to communicate better with your family.

It is harder to have a good conversation when you are feeling very angry or upset. Here are some things that can help:

• Take a walk or listen to music
• Write your thoughts and feelings in a journal
• Do deep breathing exercises

You can learn more about self-care tips to help yourself feel better.

• If a conversation gets too emotional or difficult, it is okay to take a short break. 
• Use this time to calm down. This will help you think more clearly when you are ready to talk again.
• Agree on when to come back to the discussion, for example, after 20 minutes.
• The goal is to come back and sort out the issue calmly, not to avoid it altogether.

When you are upset, it is easy to bring up all the problems at once. Instead:

• Stick to one issue at a time
• Be clear on what you want to achieve
• Work towards a solution together

Meeting each other halfway is important. This means being willing to give a little, so that the other person can do the same for you too.

• For example, if you and your parents are staying separately and disagree about how often to visit, you can agree on a fixed day each week that works for everyone.

There is no one right way to handle family stress. What worked before may not work now, and this is okay. Be open to trying something different, for example:

• Change your daily routine to reduce stress at home.
• Find a new way to have difficult conversations, like writing a note instead of talking in person.
• Set aside regular time to check in with each other as a family.

If you have children, conflict can affect them a lot, even if they are not directly involved. To protect them:

• Keep children away from arguments, especially if they become physical or violent
• Make sure that children do not feel like they must take sides or choose between family members.
• Children notice more than we think they do. Seeing or hearing adults argue often can leave them feeling stressed and worried.

You do not have to face family stress on your own. There are people who can help, and you can also be there for others:

• Reach out to friends and other family members for someone to talk to or help.
• If someone around you seems to be struggling, you can check in on them, offer help, or spend time with them.
• You may want to seek professional help to help your family communicate better, understand your feelings, and handle conflict in healthier ways.
• If you ever feel unsafe at home, please reach out for help immediately.