The importance of emotional literacy in helping families resolve their internal conflict

Over the years, I have had opportunities to look after families where siblings are fighting intensely with each other. Some fought over money. Some fought over a will. Some fought over love. Some fought over differing responsibilities. 

Of course, this could be a fight over anything due to differing values and beliefs, AND also the way they think and process information. They truly think differently, but don’t quite have the emotional language or literacy to understand the “what”, “how, and “why” they think differently. 

As a result, they will continue to fight.
Some flight.
Some completely avoid and stonewall.

But ultimately, they fought because they don’t quite get each other.

The real question is, do we get each other, or even get ourselves for that matter.

Once we “get it”, the genuine acknowledgment and appreciation will occur authentically and organically.

Sometimes, out of stress and frustration, we may demand those things. Often it doesn’t turn out the way that we want it to turn out.

But we can change that....

Consider focusing on improving our emotional literacy. That’s a good start.