“You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” ~James 1:19
These are wise yet challenging commands for families. When we give our ears a workout and our tongue a rest, our homes become more peaceful places.
Teachable Moments
- 1. Can You Hear Me Now?—Play a game of Telephone (whispering a message from person to person) to reinforce the importance of good listening. Afterward, see how the original message was altered and talk about what it feels like to be heard incorrectly.
- 2. Word Out!—Work to make your home a complaint-free and gossip-free zone. Put everyone in charge of pointing out that kind of talk. Also recognize when family members catch themselves mid-sentence and reword negative statements.
- 3. Encouraging Words—Jot down on index cards kind words about your children. Once a week, give kids each a card. They can collect—and treasure—these encouragements in inexpensive photo albums.
