As society undergoes constant change, traditional family life is impacted.  Though families have always had to confront changing issues and problems, never more so than today.  Outside forces such as the influence of the media and social changes, impact the family unit, oftentimes in a negative way.  As a result, families today are under more stress than perhaps at any other time in history and perhaps, no greater family unit than the single parent family. 

During these times of stress, it is increasingly important to have open honest communication within families.  Without effective communication, tough times families face will be even tougher.  Without an understanding of the communication process, increased friction between family members may result.  Good communication helps families navigate the daily life struggles as well as unexpected crisis as a family, oftentimes resulting in increased family strength and bonding.

Many parents view communication as a tool in which to get information to their children.  Reminding them to complete their homework communicates involvement and concern for their education, reminding them to clean their room communicates concern for responsibility.  What is not given as much credence however, is its other equally important function.  Effective family communication is designed to be a two-way bridge that connects parent to child and child to parent.  Healthy communication – the kind that builds this two way bridge – is essential in helping children develop a healthy personality as well as good relationships both inside and outside of their families.

Building Bridges is a communication workshop specifically designed for single parent families.  The definition of communication is to impart, to make known, to give and receive information.  It derives from the Latin word “communis’ which means common.  Therefore, when we try to build family communication, we are trying to establish a commonness within the family. 

Family communication involves more than just the exchange of words among family members.  Communication consists of the following:

• What we say
• How we say it
• Why we say it
• When we say it
• What we don’t say
• Our facial expressions
• Our posture
• Our tone

In other words, family communication consists of both verbal and nonverbal language.  Words are the most commonly recognized form of communication but most experts agree that the majority of communication is actually nonverbal. 

In Building Bridges workshops, participants learn to identify all forms of communication and encourage it within their families. For families that have weak communication, tips and techniques are provided to increase family communication and thereby decrease family stress. 

As listening is the most important communication skill, participants spend a great deal of time developing active listening skills.  Active listening is essential to effective family communication and is vital to hearing and being heard in the family unity.  Active listening is encouraged within all members of the family including with younger children who are often ignored and teens who are often considered uncommunicative.

Positive communication skills help to develop strong family relationships.  It is a process in which the whole family can get involved.  At a time when surveys indicate that families spend less than one hour per day talking and listening to each other, it is imperative that improved communication skills within single parent families are encouraged.