Bridging Conflict
Two people you care about are hurting and you want to help bring the two sides together. Talk to each person separately, give perspective, and encourage them to reconcile. Anyone with credibility on both sides can play that role. I've even seen a stepparent bridge the gap between a parent and their child. The trick is knowing when to step back and let them work on repairing their relationship. We can help jump start the conversation, but they have to do the work. Be a conduit of reconciliation.
Show Notes
About the Guest
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Two people you care about are hurting and you want to help bring the two sides together. Talk to each person separately, give perspective, and encourage them to reconcile. Anyone with credibility on both sides can play that role. I've even seen a stepparent bridge the gap between a parent and their child. The trick is knowing when to step back and let them work on repairing their relationship. We can help jump start the conversation, but they have to do the work. Be a conduit of reconciliation.
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Ron Deal
Ron L. Deal is one of the most widely read and viewed experts on blended families in the country. He is Director of FamilyLife Blended® for FamilyLife®, founder of Smart Stepfamilies™, and the author and Consulting Editor of the Smart Stepfamily Series of books including the bestselling Building Love Together in Blended Families: The 5 Love Languages® and Becoming Stepfamily Smart (with Dr. Gary Chapman), The Smart Stepfamily: 7 Steps to a Healthy Family, and ...more
When conflict divides, be a bridge.
Ron: When conflict divides, be a bridge.
Announcer: For FamilyLife Blended®, here’s Ron Deal.
Ron: Okay, this is delicate. Of course, you want to do something. Two people you care about are divided—they’re hurting—and you want to help bring the two sides together. Maybe you talk to each person separately, give a little perspective, and encourage them to reconcile. Anyone with credibility on both sides can play that role: a friend, a pastor, a therapist. I’ve even seen a stepparent bridge the gap between a parent and their child.
But the trick is knowing when to step back and let them do the work of repairing their relationship. We can help jump start the conversation, but they have to do the hard work. Conduits of reconciliation. The world needs a lot more of them. For FamilyLife Blended, I’m Ron Deal.
Announcer: To find out more visit familylifeblended.com.
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