Ali Royce

FHS 2400
Assignment 1 Ch. 7

Active Listening/Conflict Resolution

One of the best things that a person can have in their relationship toolkit is the ability to
resolve conflicts through effective communication. Review the concepts found on page 252 &
253 and try using them. Try emphasizing the concepts of summarizing, paraphrasing, validation,
and clarification in your exchange. You may teach the concept to your partner before the
conversation. The conversation should last for at least 5-10 minutes. In your paper, describe
your relationship with your partner, the topic of discussion and your reaction to the conversation.
Interview your partner and get their reaction as well. What skills were most helpful?
I had a conversation with my father. He and I discussed the past, and our relationships
with each other and other family members. When my younger sister was born and I became the
middle child, everything changed. I have never been really close to my younger sister because
she is the baby of the family, knows it, and uses it to her advantage. My relationship with my
father has fluctuated a lot in the past twelve years. We used to have time to go on adventures, or
sit down and play cards. When my sister was born, most of his time went towards her and trying
to make her happy. We rarely have time to go on adventures or play a game of rummy. This
really disappointed me.
As my father and I discussed this, he told me stories from the past and told me that he
understands that we havent had much time together and we should work on that. He told me the
story of his reaction to when my mother first told him that she was pregnant with me. By the end
of the story, I was in tears.
Being male, my father doesnt show quite as much emotions as I do. After our
conversation he said he felt like our relationship would get better. He gave me a hug, smiled,
told me he loved me and we went to bed.
Validation: Each affirms the others feelings. (Strong & Cohen, 2014, p.252) Validation
was a very important skill used in our conversation, describing what its like to be a middle child

Ali Royce
FHS 2400
Assignment 1 Ch. 7

can be hard because my mother and father are both the oldest child. It was really important for
him to let me know that he understands what I am going through. It was also very important for
me to clarify why our relationship changed when my sister was born. I had to help myself
realize that I was not his youngest any more.
*Strong, B, & Cohen, T.F. (2014). The Marriage and Family Experience: Intimate relationships
in a changing society (12th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.