Mean what you say, say what you mean, but don't say it mean!
It was the first time I had heard the "don't say it mean" part but I really like it. Whether we are talking to our friends, co-workers/boss, our family, even our children; I think it is is important that we all weigh our words carefully before we speak. Once it's out there we can't take it back.
Many of the conflicts and disagreements I have with my husband is from communication misunderstandings. My husband will frequently say something to just say something often times not realizing what he is REALLY saying. And I find that when I am not clear and concise with my children we all end up frustrated. Here is a useful download from Circle of Parents that offers five tips on how to say what you mean and mean what you say when speaking to your children. The five tips are: Say Please, Be Specific, Think, Eye to Eye and Pick Your Battles.
The idea of mean what you say, say what you mean, but don't say it mean sounds so simple, doesn't it? But in the fast paced world we live in it is easy to get hurried and quickly blurt something out that doesn't seem like a big deal to us but ends up sounding mean on the receiving end. Our words are powerful and the words we choose and how we say them can make the difference in if our ideas are accepted or rejected by our audience. I found a great article on the Experience Life website about the Power of Language. It is quite eye opening and also offers many other great articles on the topic of language.
Do you find yourself blurting things out or saying something during an awkward situation that you later wish you could take back. I often find myself getting easily frustrated with my children and don't always use the correct words and tone. I am going to try and be more conscious in the what I say and how I say them and hopefully my children will follow suit.
xoxo
neisha
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