Conflict Management

This week I had a conflict with my youngest son, he is 19. He still lives at home, dropped out of college and quit his job. We are constantly arguing about his education and employment. He gets very defensive when I mention him going back to college or getting a job.

I have learned this week to incorporate cooperative strategies by striving to produce a solution that will benefit the both of us (O’Hare & Wiemann, 2013). We sat down and came up with a compromise that seems to benefit the both of us. He decided not to go to college right now but will keep an open mind about it. He also agreed to get a part-time job and I will continue to help him with the insurance on his car, as long as he is working.

The three R’s (respectful, reciprocal and responsive) may positively impact communication by using them as a guide to communicating. The three R’s were very beneficial in our conflict resolution. We have learned to respect each other’s opinion. I had to learn to respect him not going to school and he had to respect my needing him to pay some of his bills. We were both very responsive to our agreement.

Reference

O’Hair, D. & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. Boston, MA:
                Bedford’s/St. Matin’s.