Communication

You need to communicate about many issues, from the practical things such as how to manage household chores to what you go through when you see your parent experience various symptoms. Everyone deals with a diagnosis of MS in a different way, and not everyone will be open and honest about their feelings, which may make communication ineffective, causing frustration.

You need to deal with the frustration in a logical and non-confrontational manner by requesting an open discussion.

Here are some tips from Cristall (1992) that may be helpful in developing good lines of communication:

• Don't take for granted that you know your parents' innermost feelings. To communicate with them and understand their point of view, you must listen with a compassionate heart.
• Try to be sympathetic with their point of view even if it differs from yours, and be careful not to belittle them in any way.
• Present your opinion in a straightforward, non-threatening manner. Be sure not to raise your voice; they may do likewise, and issues are difficult to settle when people are attempting to out shout each other.
• Rather than insisting on having your own way, encourage compromise so that, in a sense, each of you can feel like a winner.
• If you are able to agree on some issues, write them down so that you can all experience a sense of accomplishment.

Communication allows everyone the opportunity to be heard, which in itself is an excellent tool to help develop positive family relationships.