Emotionally Intelligent Communication

Imagine that Trish, an 8th grader, comes home from school and throws her books on the floor.

Mom responds, “Hey, you don’t throw books. You come and pick these up, right now, young lady.”

Trish turns and runs up to her room in tears, ignoring her mom’s “Get back here.”

An Anxious Mom

Fuming and a little worried, Mom picks up her books and goes up to Trisha’s room. “Hey, what’s going on? Why are you so upset?”

Trish: “I hate Elizabeth and Maria. I’m never going to talk to them again.”

Mom: “Oh, ...