- Joined
- Feb 1, 2012
- Messages
- 48
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 6
In addition to our own children, my wife and I are also foster parents to a 13 yr old young man. Part of the requirement for maintaining our certification includes a number of hours each year in continuing education and parenting classes. (Most of which is garbage, but that is another discussion for another time!)
Anyway, last night, we were at a local public school for the class, and one of the exercises dealt with active listening. One of my daughters (14yrs old) was with me in the class, and I read to her a statement that she was to demonstrate her active listening skills by summarizing what I said, and expressing a statement about how I must be feeling.
I admit that I was feeling a little put off, so sarcastically I read the following statement exactly as it was written on the card: "I am so upset. My best friend Chris was supposed to go golfing with me today, but he/she didn't show up, nor did he/she call to tell me that he/she would not be there. Then, I found out later that he/she went to a soccer game with my friend Terry."
So, here was her active listening response: "I can tell you are upset. I mean having a trans-gendered friend must be confusing by itself, but then that he/she didn't show up must have really been upsetting!"
Needless to say, most of the class didn't appreciate her humor, but I about fell out of my chair laughing. I was pretty proud of her quick wit.
Anyway, last night, we were at a local public school for the class, and one of the exercises dealt with active listening. One of my daughters (14yrs old) was with me in the class, and I read to her a statement that she was to demonstrate her active listening skills by summarizing what I said, and expressing a statement about how I must be feeling.
I admit that I was feeling a little put off, so sarcastically I read the following statement exactly as it was written on the card: "I am so upset. My best friend Chris was supposed to go golfing with me today, but he/she didn't show up, nor did he/she call to tell me that he/she would not be there. Then, I found out later that he/she went to a soccer game with my friend Terry."
So, here was her active listening response: "I can tell you are upset. I mean having a trans-gendered friend must be confusing by itself, but then that he/she didn't show up must have really been upsetting!"
Needless to say, most of the class didn't appreciate her humor, but I about fell out of my chair laughing. I was pretty proud of her quick wit.
