What has been your experience of conflict in relationships in your personal or professional life? How did you work it out?
I feel inspired to share this experience I had with my mum as a way to highlight how nonviolent communication (NVC) practice has helped me in dealing with conflict. My mum recently had a hip replacement and this is a couple of situations that occurred prior to her being admitted to hospital.
I experience my mum is an independent lady who is capable of meetingĀ challenges andĀ I guessed she would be nervous about going in to hospital. After some discussion she agreed to me going with her for the pre op assessment. This took a big of navigating. She wasnāt keen at first and I noticed tension in myself. I wanted both to consider hers and my needs. I firstly heard what was important for her. She said she had always ājust got on with things herselfā (sound familiar) and she enjoyed being independent. I asked her to hear my needs to care and that I was curious if she could see any benefits in having support. I asked her did she think that by accepting support could she see that she was actually contributing to my well-being? She said she had never thought of it like that before.
I suggested we have dinner the night before. I wanted to hear if there was anything that she was feeling nervous about. After we chatted about her fears and she was feeling more relaxed I got ready to leave. I was just about to goĀ when she told me she had an idea that she would like me to think about. What she said took me by surprise. She suggested that she sells her property and I sell mine and we get a place together where she can live in an extention and help me with airbnb (I do this at times to support my sustainability). Instantly I could feel a tension in me and a strong sense of wanting to protect myself. I did say no at this point and said it wasnāt something I would want to consider without having a partner. She said she understood that. I left feeling deeply sad. Sad because I donāt have a partner to share lifeās decisions with and that my mum seemed so keen on fulfilling her needs with that strategy. I sat for a while in the needs that were important to me; partnership, contribution, care and probably more than that. When I felt myself softening I started to guess the needs of my mum. I was guessing companionship, meaning, purpose and perhaps to know that she matters. After I did this I could feel strongly that I wanted to talk to her about this.
On the drive to the hospital the following day I took the opportunity to talk to her about what was on my mind. Pulling on my NVC training, I put it to her in this way. āMum, when I heard you say last night that you wanted us to buy a place together Iām wondering if itās more company that you would likeā? āYes, she said I suppose I would like more companyā. "And Iām also wondering if you would like to have more meaning and purpose in our relationship? I had been wondering if not having grandchildren was important for mum. We then had an open discussion about how children can bring meaning to relationships and that for me I couldnāt imagine anything that could be more meaningful than to care for children. She said she realised that through speaking with some friends who had grandchildren for some of them they struggle to care for the children without it having a detrimental impact on them. She acknowledged that perhaps being a grandmother wasnāt necessarily what she wants at this time of her life. I asked her if we could connect to the ways we already have meaning and purpose together and we came up with some examples ie we were on our way to the hospital together and in that moment that held meaning and purpose, I told her that I appreciated her cooking meals for me particularly when I have a full schedule and donāt always want to cook, that I can discuss my art projects with her as she has experience that I donāt have. When we slow done and pay attention to where needs are met in our lives itās possible to live with more appreciation and gratitude for what we already have. From this place I notice where I can āimproveā and strive to always do my best regardless of the circumstances.
On reflection and after sharing this situation with an NVC trainer Miki Kashtan (www.thefearlessheart.org) we were able to consider some of the important elements of NVC practice. When I break this situation down I can see
- The ability to hold my pain and not to lash out
- To reflect and go into self empathy first
- Once I soften I can guess the needs of other
- To go back and speak in observation, keep it short and simple and be open to hearing the other
- Most importantly, take the risk to be vulnerable and speak truly and with transparency.
Iām very grateful for my mum and the learning and growth I experience through our relationship.
2 Likes
Hi Jayne,
Many thanks for taking the time to write this. The story of you and your mum is lovely and we really appreciate you sharing this relationship and top tips. The SCCR wondered if you would mind us using your story for one of our blogs? So others can see and engage with you and your story. Please let us know your thoughts.
Many thanks once again.
Caroline
Hi Caroline. Iād be delighted for you to share this story. Itās on my blog site along with other stories about me and mum. http://nurturingpotential.wix.com/fiercegrace
Iām regretting I didnāt see your message earlier. It didnāt come to my email so Iāll make sure that I log in and check on a regular basis.
Warmly
Jayne
Hi I am a Mum to an 8 year old. I left his Father over 2 years ago due to conflict and emotional abuse, I have tried all sorts of ways to resolve issues and gain effective communication. There are some other issues which have also been in play but now I am being sued for full residency of our son despite he and his Father until very recently having good and regular contact, and so the conflict escalates and continues. I am tired, stressed and anxious but resolute in my determination to end this cycle and free my son and I from this darkness. I seek help support advice and strategy oh and funds. help ?!
Hi Tidedye66,
Thank you for sharing your story. Iām so sorry to hear you are going through such a difficult time with your sonās father. Conflict - as you have highlighted can have a huge impact on our health and emotional well being. In terms of the support and advice you seek in relation to the residency of your son I would suggest getting in touch with:
Relationships Scotland http://www.relationships-scotland.org.uk/
Calm Scotland http://www.calmscotland.co.uk/
They will be able to provide you with advice and guidance in relation to your specific circumstances. They will also be able to offer some advice around funds including legal aid.
Please feel free to contact us directly sccr@cyrenians.scot if we can assist in anyway.
If there are any specialists in this area of dispute resolution that have some advice please share it here.