Healthy Relationships

Leave it to Chance

Rock,Paper, Scissors or flip a coin.

Laugh it Off

Use humor to decrease the seriousness of the issue.

Passive

When you are timid or wishy-washy n defense of your legitimate rights, needs, and wishes.

Agressive

When you try to achieve your own needs and wishes by overwhelming others, without considering they have needs and wishes, too.

Assertive

When, without infringing the rights, needs and wishes of others, you take steps to ensure that your own rights, needs, and wishes will be respected.

Relationship Rules

1. Respect is essential. 2. You have the right to be heard. 3. Send an adult message to receive an adult response. 4. Avoid communication roadblocks. 5. Make your words, tone of voice, and body language send the same message. 6. Listening is worth being good at.

Quick Fixes

1. Walk Away 2. Skip It 3. Laugh It Off 4. Apologize 5. Split The Difference 6. Leave It To Chance

Judging

Assuming an air of being on a higher level. "That's such a simplistic answer."

Split the Difference

Both sides take equal responsibility.

Name-Calling

Calling someone an insulting name. You're such a sucker for being his friend."

Interrupting

Cutting in with your own comments before someone has finished speaking. "There I was, miles from home and out of gas, when..." "You think that's bad? Listen to what happened to me the other day."

Changing the Subject

Failing to keep to the point of an argument or discussion shows you're not interested in paying attention. "It's been a week since you promised to pay me back. What's the big delay?" "You're so cute when you're angry!"

Blaming or Accusing

Finding someone guilty even before you hear the other side. "It's all your fault we lost the contest!"

Skip It

If the argument isn't worth fighting about then just move on and leave it behind.

Mind-Reading

Jumping to conclusions about what the other person is thinking. "I knew you wouldn't mind if I kept your notes a little longer."

Send an Adult Message

Receive an Adult Response

Insulting

Purposely trying to make someone feel bad. "Those are the ugliest shoes I've ever seen!"

Sweeping Generalization

Putting someone in a defensive position by exaggerating their behavior. Why do you ALWAYS make such a big deal out of everything?"

Send a Child Message

Receive a Parent Response

Apologize

Sincerely say "I'm sorry" for whatever happened.

Walk Away

Step away from the situation if it is getting too heated or angry.

Sarcasm

Suggesting you don't believe the person and saying something designed to one-up or give pain. "Sure, I just love the fact that you're going to the game with my boyfriend."

Threatening

Trying to intimidate someone. "If you do that, I will never speak to you again"