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There is no such thing as family differences. There are only different family personalities.

First thing is to give respect always, second is to listen and last, never demand what someone should do, give suggestions of how you would handle the matter.

The key to managing family differences is to remember is respect, do unto others, as you would have them to do unto you. This is a very important key to any family. When there is respect, the differences will be very small. Sometimes as children, we think as long as we love our siblings, we do not have to respect them. This way of thinking sometimes carries over into adulthood.

You know the little things we use to do, like tease your sister about her hair in front of your friends, or laugh at your brother when he pretend to be older then he is, because he like one of your friend girls. Well sometimes, they will not tell each other that we have hurt the other feelings. This sometimes stuck with the sibling until adulthood.

As the family become adults their will be subject that one might try to talk to the other about one thing or other. The other will not listen because the hard felling is still there; you know the one that made me feel like you just do not respect me. Now why should I listen to a person who has no respect for me?

So now, here is where the listening kicks in. Listen with your heart and soul. Hear what I am saying. Do not just jump in, without hear what went on and pass a verdict on one other. Just because Mrs. Johnson said I broke her window out of malice does not make it so. What it means is, that Mrs. Johnson seen that her window has gotten broken and I was there. Do not pass judgment on each other without the whole story.

Do not demand. Listen to went on and give scenarios of, what you would do in this case. Like, when I come back you better have put your brother hat back in his room. How about you had better have your sisters' dress back where she had it when I come from the dry cleaners. You have demanded the dress back, you leave the house and the other sibling is truly hurt because you have said the things you said. You get to the cleaner and they are close. When get home you are mad and the dress is not back. The person, whose feeling has gotten hurt, is now punishment for the rest of the day and misses the first pep rally of the year.

Tomorrow you go to the cleaners and there is the dress that the other person dropped off before school week before last.

Do you know the one sister is going to hold that punishment against the other sister for a very long time?

Respect always, hear the whole thing and ask key questions, never demand what someone had better do, innocent until proven guilty.

Learn more about this author, Renee Morgan.
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