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How to Be a Good Group Member
Here are some suggestions of what to post and how
to respond.
When posting a question or problem
Share a problem or situation you're experiencing.
Please remember to share enough detail including age of the child
and any background that would be helpful to understand your situation.
A question like "Any ideas for addressing sibling conflict?" is
not detailed enough so that a person can respond.
When offering advice
- Offer advice humbly, recognizing that you may
be reading the problem differently than what was intended.
Remember that parenting problems are complex and rarely are
there simple answers.
- Seek to be empathetic and compassionate in your
response.
- Consider how Scripture might apply to the particular
situation at hand.
- Look for heart qualities and approach the problem
from a heart-based perspective, not just focusing on the surface
behavior.
- Consider how you might offer an adult solution
that might be broken down to a child's level.
- Be supportive and encouraging. Avoid harshness
or a condescending tone.
- Ask for updates to see how a situation may be
changing.
When responding to advice given to someone
else
- If you agree with the advice, you might elaborate.
- If you disagree with the advice, be gentle with
your comments. You may be right, but you also want to be wise.
- You don't have to express disagreement in order
to state your own opinion. You may just want to share your
thoughts without addressing the other advice. Just offer another
way to look at the problem and another possible approach.
When responding to advice given to you
- You don't have to respond to every point or
suggestion. It's best to tell what you like and what you're
going to try.
- You may find further explanation helpful but
be careful about dominating the group by telling your whole
life story or by countering every opinion with, "That
won't work." Or "I tried that already."
- Be sure to report back as you see progress.
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