Value Of Face-To-Face Connections
by Father Steven E. Boes
Posted: 10/18/2011
Father Boes
(NAPSI)—I was at a friend’s house recently when his teenage daughter came into the room, obviously upset. When we asked what was wrong, she told us about the fight she was having with a friend and the hurtful things being said.
Her dad couldn’t believe her friend would say such things. For proof, his daughter whipped out her phone so he could “read” the argument. The entire thing was happening via text. They hadn’t actually spoken about the problem face-to-face.
There is no skill more valuable than being able to speak with a person face-to-face. You can make a connection that no text, tweet or Facebook update can duplicate. The fastest way to communicate isn’t always the best way to communicate.
It’s much easier to resolve conflict face-to-face. Why do you think world leaders meet at summits? They can sit down and discuss the problem. There’s no reading between the lines—it’s all right there. Everyone is getting the same message.
That’s why we teach social skills to the kids and families in our care. For most of them, conflict is a part of their lives—and they need to learn how to address it. They also need to know how to introduce themselves, look a person in the eyes and disagree appropriately.
Spend time talking with your children to help them shape their social skills so when they have a disagreement with a friend, they know how to resolve it quickly and effectively.
• Father Boes is president and national executive director of Boys Town, which has been saving children and healing families for more than 90 years. He offers more good advice at www.boystown.org. |
