Blog

Awareness, Word Choice, and Trust in Family Communication
Family Life Education, Self-Discovery

Putting It All Together: Awareness, Word Choice, and Trust in Family Communication

Beyond Possibilities

Family communication is often the heartbeat of connection. The words we choose, the tone we use, and even the body language we convey can either build bridges or create distance within our homes. While it’s easy to get swept up in the rush of daily life, learning to pause, reflect, and intentionally communicate can transform how our families relate to one another.

In previous blogs, we’ve explored the foundations of awareness, trust, and word choice in communication. Now, it’s time to put it all together — to take what we’ve learned and use it in real moments with those we love most.

Awareness: The Power of Pausing Before We Speak

Awareness is like turning on a light in a dark room. It helps us see clearly what’s really happening — both within ourselves and in the conversation unfolding before us. When parents recognize their emotional state before speaking, research shows they communicate more calmly, which encourages calmer responses from their children as well (Alejandra & Kataoka, 2017).

Before reacting to a situation — like a teenager missing curfew or a spouse forgetting to follow through — pause and check in with yourself. What emotion is surfacing? What need might be underneath that emotion?

Tools like Mel Robbins’ “5 Second Rule” (counting backward 5-4-3-2-1 before responding) can interrupt reactive thought patterns and help you respond from a place of calm intention. This practice of mindful awareness creates space for empathy to guide our words rather than frustration.

Word Choice: Creating Openness Through Language

Words carry energy. The difference between “Why are you always late?” and “I’m concerned you’re running behind — is there something you need help with?” is the difference between accusation and understanding.

Studies consistently show that positive word choice improves family connection and strengthens relationships over time (Family Strengths: Communication, 2020). Using “I-statements” is one of the simplest and most effective ways to do this. Instead of blaming or labeling, “I-statements” express feelings and needs without placing the other person on the defensive (The Importance of “I-Statements in Relationships,” n.d.).

For example:

“I feel worried when I don’t hear from you. Can we agree that you’ll text when you arrive home?”

That small shift creates collaboration rather than confrontation — and the tone of the conversation shifts from tension to teamwork.

Trust: Built in the Everyday Moments

Trust is not built in grand gestures — it’s built in consistency. Every small, respectful interaction lays a foundation for emotional safety and belonging. Research from Ouyang and Cheung (2023) found that when parents foster trust and model emotional regulation, young adults experience fewer depressive symptoms and stronger family bonds.

Nonverbal cues like tone, posture, and facial expressions often speak louder than words (Winsberg, 2022). When we model openness, children learn that vulnerability is safe. This kind of safety allows our teens and young adults to develop independence while still feeling supported — a balance essential for healthy family dynamics (Busby & Chiu, 2017).

It’s easy to overlook these small daily exchanges, but they are the building blocks of resilient relationships. As one review from Precision Family Therapy (2025) put it, strong communication nurtures empathy, mutual respect, and adaptability — qualities that make families thrive even through challenges.

Putting It Into Practice

Imagine this scenario: your 17-year-old borrowed the car and didn’t text when they got home.

Your instinct might be to say, “You never think about how worried I get!” But instead, you pause. You take a deep breath. You recognize that your reaction comes from fear, not anger.

Then you reframe:

“When I don’t hear from you, I worry because I care about your safety. How can we make a plan that works for both of us?”

This reframe integrates awareness (of your own emotions), word choice (using “I-statements”), and trust (inviting collaboration). The result? Connection instead of conflict.

Growth, Not Perfection

Improving communication is not about mastering perfection — it’s about making consistent, small shifts that ripple through our relationships. Each mindful pause, thoughtful phrase, and intentional act of trust brings us closer together.

As Forever Families (2020) beautifully explains, communication is both a skill and a reflection of love — one that strengthens every time we choose understanding over reaction.

So, take a moment today to reflect:

  • How can you pause more often before responding?
  • What words can you reframe to express care instead of criticism?
  • Where might trust need a little rebuilding — or acknowledgment?

Awareness opens understanding.
Word choice opens dialogue.
And trust opens hearts.

Communication Journal 3Download

References (APA 7th Edition)

Alejandra, A. M., & Kataoka, S. (2017). Family communication styles and resilience among adolescents. Social Work, 62(3), 261–269. https://doi.org/10.2307/44652409

Busby, D. M., & Hsin-Yao Chiu, L. (2017). Perceived conflict styles of adult children and their parents: What is the connection? Journal of Child and Family Studies, 26(12), 3412–3424. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-017-0839-9

Family Strengths: Communication. (2020). Forever Families. https://foreverfamilies.byu.edu/family-strengths-communication

Ouyang, Q., & Cheung, R. Y. M. (2023). Mother–child versus father–child conflict and emerging adults’ depressive symptoms: The role of trust in parents and maladaptive emotional regulation. Journal of Adult Development, 30(2), 145–157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-022-09431-1

Precision Family Therapy. (2025). The role of communication in strengthening family bonds. https://www.precisionfamilytherapy.com/post/the-role-of-communication-in-strengthening-family-bonds

The Importance of “I-Statements” in Relationships. (n.d.). Tony Robbins. https://www.tonyrobbins.com/blog/words-matter-you-vs-i

Winsberg, M. (2022). Speaking in Thumbs. Doubleday.

Building Positive Communication
Family Life Education, Self-Discovery

Building Trust Through Positive Communication: How Word Choice Builds Trust in Families

Beyond Possibilities

Good communication is at the heart of every healthy family relationship. In our latest workshop, we explored how the words we choose — especially in moments of stress — can either open a door to connection or close it. Even if you weren’t able to attend, the principles we discussed can help you strengthen your communication at home.

Why Word Choice Matters

Children and adolescents don’t just hear our words — they interpret the tone, structure, and intent behind them (Alejandra & Kataoka, 2017; Zapf et al., 2022). A phrase meant as guidance can sometimes sound like blame. For example:

  • Saying to a teen, “Why can’t you ever remember to text me?” may feel accusatory and lead to withdrawal.
  • Rephrased as, “I feel anxious when I don’t hear from you after school because I care about you. A quick text reassures me you’re safe,” the same concern becomes collaborative and caring.

These subtle shifts make a big difference in whether your child shuts down or leans in. Research shows that positive communication is linked to better family health and well-being (Kang et al., 2019) and can buffer stress for both parents and children (Rosland et al., 2011).

“I-Statements” vs. “You-Statements”

When emotions run high, our phrasing matters.

  • You-statements (e.g., “You never listen!”) point outward and often trigger defensiveness and conflict (Busby & Chiu, 2017).
  • I-statements (e.g., “I feel frustrated when instructions aren’t followed because it creates more work for me”) take ownership of feelings, reduce blame, and make room for dialogue (The Importance of “I-Statements,” n.d.).

Studies show that authentic I-statements help children feel respected, even when they are being corrected, and are associated with greater trust and healthier emotional regulation (Ouyang & Cheung, 2023; Yang et al., 2024). Families that practice open, consistent communication build resilience and stronger bonds (Family Strengths: Communication, 2020).

How to Put This into Practice

  • Pause before reacting. Take a breath and think: Am I about to use a “You-statement”?
  • Reframe with “I.” Center your message on your own feelings and needs, not blame.
  • Model growth. If you slip, rephrase aloud. This shows your children you are working on communication too.
  • Practice together. Try rewriting common household frustrations into I-statements as a family exercise.

The more you practice, the easier it becomes. Over time, your words can become a tool for connection, cooperation, and trust.

Communication Journal 2Download

📚 References

Alejandra, A. M., & Kataoka, S. (2017). Family communication styles and resilience among adolescents. Social Work, 62(3), 261–269. https://doi.org/10.2307/44652409

Busby, D. M., & Chiu, L. H. (2017). Perceived conflict styles of adult children and their parents: What is the connection? Journal of Child and Family Studies, 26(12), 3412–3424. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-017-0839-9

Family Strengths: Communication. (2020). Forever Families. https://foreverfamilies.byu.edu/family-strengths-communication

Kang, S. Y., Lee, J. A., & Kim, Y. S. (2019). Impact of family communications on self-rated health of couples who visited primary care physicians: A cross-sectional analysis of Family Cohort Study in Primary Care. PLOS ONE, 14(3), e0213427. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0213427

Ouyang, Q., & Cheung, R. Y. M. (2023). Mother–child versus father–child conflict and emerging adults’ depressive symptoms: The role of trust in parents and maladaptive emotional regulation. Journal of Adult Development, 30(2), 145–157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-022-09431-1

Rosland, A., Heisler, M., & Piette, J. D. (2011). The impact of family behaviors and communication patterns on chronic illness outcomes: A systematic review. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 35(2), 221–239. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-011-9354-4

The Importance of “I-Statements” in Relationships. (n.d.). Tony Robbins. https://www.tonyrobbins.com/blog/words-matter-you-vs-i

Yang, K. N., Bergman, K. N., & Cummings, E. M. (2024). Mother–adolescent communication and father–adolescent communication: Analyzing a 4-week family intervention using multi-informant data. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 35(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/jor.12995

Zapf, H., Boettcher, J., Haukeland, Y. B., Orm, S., Coslar, S., Wiegand-Grefe, S., & Fjermestad, K. (2022). A systematic review of parent–child communication measures: Instruments and their psychometric properties. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 26(1), 121–142. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-022-00414-3

Winsberg, M. (2022). Speaking in thumbs. Doubleday.

Family Life Education, Making a Difference, Self-Discovery

Building Bridges: Understanding Family Communication Styles

Beyond Possibilities

Communication is at the heart of every family relationship. It’s how we express love, set boundaries, and navigate challenges together. Yet, as our children grow—from tweens discovering independence, to teens testing limits, to young adults stepping into the world—communication often becomes one of the trickiest parts of parenting.

Whether you’re trying to get an 11-year-old to clean up their room, discussing curfew with a 16-year-old, or respecting the independence of your 22-year-old, the way you communicate can either strengthen connection or create distance.

Why Communication Matters

Research consistently shows that strong family communication builds resilience, reduces conflict, and helps children thrive emotionally (Alejandra & Kataoka, 2017; Busby & Chiu, 2017). For parents, good communication creates more cooperation at home and a deeper sense of trust—even during tough conversations.

The challenge? Not every style of communication is equally effective.

The Four Common Communication Styles

Communication can be mapped across two dimensions: openness of communication (how honestly we share) and consideration for others (how much we respect another’s needs). Together, these create four styles:

  • Aggressive – Open but lacking respect for others.
  • Passive – Respectful but withholding feelings or needs.
  • Passive-Aggressive – Indirect, masking frustration with sarcasm or avoidance.
  • Assertive – Honest and open while still considering others.

Most of us use a mix of these styles depending on stress, habits, or circumstances. But the healthiest families lean on assertive communication, because it balances honesty with respect.

Real-Life Examples

To bring these styles to life, here are a few parent–child situations across the tween-to-twenty spectrum:

  • Aggressive (Teen): Your 16-year-old comes home past curfew. You yell, “You’re completely irresponsible!”
  • Passive (Young Adult): Your 24-year-old borrows your car and returns it on empty. You say, “It’s fine, don’t worry about it,” while stewing inside.
  • Passive-Aggressive (Teen): Your 15-year-old forgets chores. You mutter, “Guess I’m the maid in this house,” while slamming the trash down.
  • Assertive (Tween): Your 12-year-old resists homework. You say, “I know you’re tired, but this needs to be finished. Let’s set a timer and take breaks.”

Can you see how each style affects the relationship differently?

Takeaway for Parents

There’s no such thing as perfect communication, but being aware of how you’re communicating is the first step. Ask yourself:

  • Am I being honest about my needs and feelings?
  • Am I showing respect for my child’s needs, even as they grow more independent?
  • Do I shift my approach when talking to my 11-year-old versus my 21-year-old?

The goal isn’t to avoid conflict—it’s to handle it in ways that build trust and connection.

Try This at Home

This week, pay attention to one interaction with your child. Notice your communication style in the moment. If it’s not assertive, pause and reframe your words. For example:

  • Instead of: “You never listen to me!”
  • Try: “I feel frustrated when I have to repeat myself. Can we figure out a better way to handle reminders?”

Small shifts like this can change the whole tone of family life.

Final Thoughts

Parenting tweens through twenties is a balancing act of guidance, boundaries, and letting go. Communication is the bridge that carries us through these stages. By becoming aware of your style—and choosing assertiveness more often—you’ll nurture respect, trust, and connection with your children at every age.

Whether you attended our recent family communication class or are simply exploring on your own, this resource is here to remind you: the way you speak shapes the way your family thrives.

Communication JournalDownload
Grief
Energy Healing, Essential Oils, Healing Journey, Health, Self-Discovery

Honoring Your Emotions Through Trauma: Natural Pathways for Healing and Resilience

Beyond Possibilities

Grief, loss, and life’s hardest traumas can feel overwhelming, leaving the heart heavy and the mind clouded. During these times, it’s not about pushing emotions away but learning how to honor and process them. By combining natural approaches—such as breathwork, journaling, meditation, energy healing, and aromatherapy—we can create supportive spaces for healing. These practices, rooted in both tradition and research, help release what weighs us down while building emotional resilience.

Energy Healing for Emotional Release

Many people hold unresolved emotions in the body, leading to stress, pain, and imbalance. Energy healing techniques like the Emotion Code, Body Code, and Belief Code are designed to release these emotional burdens.

  • Emotion Code focuses on identifying and clearing trapped emotions that may contribute to anxiety, sadness, or tension. In a study with 146 participants, significant reductions in self-reported depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms were observed after sessions with this modality, though more controlled research is needed (Gelb et al., 2021).
  • Body Code expands this approach to include physical, energetic, and structural imbalances that can affect overall wellness.
  • Belief Code addresses limiting subconscious beliefs that may keep people stuck in cycles of grief or pain. Once emotional barriers are released, healthier thought patterns can emerge.

While scientific validation continues to grow, these approaches align with widely accepted psychological concepts of mind-body connection and the importance of processing emotions rather than storing them internally (Bucci, 2025).

Schedule a Session

Unlock the Secrets to Lasting Emotional Wellness in Just a Few Days & Transform Your Life by Joining the Immersion Path.

Natural Tools for Emotional Healing

Breathwork

Breathwork helps regulate the nervous system and calm emotional reactivity. By slowing and deepening the breath, the body shifts from a fight-or-flight state into a calmer, more restorative mode.

Journaling

Writing out feelings provides clarity and helps organize overwhelming emotions. Journaling offers a safe space to name experiences, uncover insights, and begin reframing grief into meaning.

Meditation

Meditation practices—whether focused attention, mindfulness, or loving-kindness—help reduce distress and promote emotional stability. Neuroimaging studies show that meditation activates brain regions linked to empathy and regulation, such as the insula and anterior cingulate cortex (Fox et al., 2016).

Aromatherapy with doTERRA CPTG® Essential Oils*

Scent has a direct influence on the limbic system, the part of the brain that governs emotions and memories. Using doTERRA Certified Pure Tested Grade (CPTG®) essential oils can provide powerful emotional support during times of grief:

  • Console® Comforting Blend (Rose, Ylang Ylang, Frankincense, Sandalwood) offers calming, balancing support when sadness feels heavy.
  • Forgive® Renewing Blend (Nootka Tree, Thyme, Melissa) encourages self-compassion and renewal during emotional recovery.
  • Cheer® Uplifting Blend (Wild Orange, Cinnamon Bark, Star Anise) sparks optimism and helps shift lingering gloom.
  • Bergamot Essential Oil has shown promise in reducing PTSD-related symptoms such as sleep disruption and negative mood in first responders (Daniel, 2023).
  • Lime Essential Oil has been shown to imbue the soul with a zest for life and promotes courage. It is renewing, energizing and purify. Paired with other oils it magnifies their effect.
  • Balance® Grounding Blend The warm, woody aroma of doTERRA Balance Grounding Blend helps create a calming, quieting environment as you consider all aspects of life: relationships, work, fitness, health, and emotional well-being.
  • Peace® Reassuming Blend A gentle blend of floral and mint oils, doTERRA Peace Reassuring Blend serves as a positive reminder that you don’t have to be perfect to find peace.

From a biochemical perspective, compounds like linalool (Lavender, Clary Sage) and beta-pinene (Lemon, Lime, White Fir) interact with neurotransmitter systems linked to serotonin and dopamine, potentially easing anxious or sad feelings (doTERRA, n.d.-b).

While results vary, aromatherapy remains a gentle, non-invasive complement to emotional healing practices. Safety should always be prioritized, including dilution for topical use and sourcing oils from reputable providers such as doTERRA (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2024).

Shop doTERRA Products NOw

Bringing It All Together

Honoring emotions during grief and trauma means allowing space for release, reflection, and renewal. Breathwork, journaling, meditation, energy healing, and essential oils each offer unique pathways toward peace. Together, they create a holistic framework for processing heavy feelings while building resilience for the road ahead.

Healing is not about forgetting loss—it’s about finding light in the darkness and carrying forward with strength and compassion.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

Essential Oils, Healing Journey, Health

Harnessing Harmony: The Emotional & Physical Essence of AromaTouch® Oils

Beyond Possibilities

In the delicate interplay between touch and scent lies a profound pathway to healing. The AromaTouch® Technique weaves together essential oils and touch in a choreography that envelops body, mind, and spirit. Let’s explore the emotional and physical resonance of each oil—and discover the scientific foundations behind why AromaTouch® touches so deeply.

The Oils: Emotional Resonance and Physical Support*

  • Lavender: A familiar friend in aromatherapy, lavender soothes the nervous system and invites calm. Its gentle floral notes ease emotional turbulence and support restful ease.
  • Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia): Known for its purifying and cleansing qualities, tea tree oil supports healthy immune function and brings clarity—both to the environment and the spirit.
  • Peppermint: With a refreshing, invigorating presence, peppermint awakens the senses, helps soothe occasional digestive or muscular tension, and anchors mind and body in alert groundedness.
  • Balance®: Created from Spruce, Ho Wood, Frankincense, Blue Tansy, and Blue Chamomile, Balance promotes emotional grounding and stability. Physically, its calming effects help relax the body while emotionally it encourages harmony, connectedness, and tranquility—an anchor when life feels unsettled.
  • On Guard®: A fusion of Wild Orange, Clove, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary, On Guard is renowned for its immune-supportive properties. It shields and fortifies the body while emotionally creating a sense of strength, safety, and resilience against life’s stressors.
  • Wild Orange: The sweet, citrus brightness of Wild Orange uplifts mood, sparks creativity, and invites joy. Physically, it supports healthy immune function and energy, while emotionally it fosters abundance, optimism, and playful lightness—balancing the heavier moments of life.
  • AromaTouch®: A proprietary fusion—often including Idaho Blue Spruce, Marjoram, Lavender, Cypress, and Peppermint—crafted to shepherd relaxation, ease stress, and foster emotional equilibrium.
  • Deep Blue®: With Wintergreen, Camphor, Peppermint, Ylang Ylang, Helichrysum, Blue Tansy, Blue Chamomile, and Osmanthus, Deep Blue is formulated to comfort and cool. Physically, it supports muscles and joints after activity, while emotionally it offers relief from carrying heavy burdens, easing tension, and encouraging a sense of resilience and renewal.

Together, this curated union supports dual flows: emotional de-stress and physical ease—like a river yielding gently to clear its course.

The Gift of Touch: A Bridge Between Soul and Cells

The sensation of touch is more than a sensory input—it is a fundamental human necessity, a nourishing conduit between inner and outer worlds. A sweeping meta-analysis of 137 studies (12,966 individuals) confirms that touch interventions yield medium-sized benefits for both physical and mental health. They significantly reduce pain, depression, anxiety, and even regulate stress markers like cortisol, across age groups from newborns to adults (Packheiser et al., 2024) Nature. Notably, touch from another person often offers greater mental health benefits than object-based contact—though even weighted blankets or friendly robots can meaningfully support well-being The Guardian.

This “gift of touch” calms the nervous system, deepens emotional connection, and helps create alignment between mind, body, and spirit. It is both a soothing whisper to frazzled nerves and a grounding hand in times of internal turbulence.

The Science: Why AromaTouch® Touches Deeper

1. Precision of Application

Unlike random diffusion, AromaTouch® oils are applied topically along specific meridians and points—spine, shoulders, feet—enhancing absorption and guiding their influence toward the nervous and circulatory systems PMC.

2. Touch as Therapeutic Medium

The technique’s structured massage supports autonomic balance, helping shift the body from a stressed sympathetic state into restorative parasympathetic rhythms. This carries measurable benefits—lowered cortisol, reduced blood pressure, and a palpable sense of ease PMC.

3. Synergy of Oils and Touch

Studies on AromaTouch® demonstrate that combining precise essential oils with intentional touch amplifies therapeutic outcomes—more profound stress relief and overall well-being than either touch or oils alone PMC.

Living the AromaTouch® Experience

Emotional Flourish
Lavender’s calm, Peppermint’s clarity, Marjoram’s release—they mingle to guide us from tension-holder into gentle presence. Each inhalation is a step toward emotional alignment.

Physical Ease
AromaTouch®, Deep Blue® soothes, Peppermint refreshes—all carried through touch into tense tissue, inviting release.

Nervous System Balance
Intentional strokes offer a passage from overwhelm to tranquility, a reset woven through scent and skilled touch.

Nature-Aligned Healing
Crafted with CPTG® purity standards, the oils resonate with integrity, honoring both environmental respect and holistic wellness.

Purchase Aromatouch training kit

A Whisper of Possibility

The AromaTouch® Technique doesn’t demand transformation—but invites a soft return to harmony. Lavender cradles anxious thoughts. Peppermint sparks clarity. Marjoram calms the body. Cypress roots the spirit. All guided by kind touch, validated by science, and enriched by human connection.

May each AromaTouch® experience be a poetic pause—a gentle reminder that possibility blooms when intention meets nature.

AromaTouch® Science and More

AromaTouch Hand Technique Study
Science Behind the AromaTouch Technique® Oils
Practicing the AromaTouch Technique
doTERRA AromaTouch Study
AromaTouch Technique® Movements

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References (APA 7)

Essential Emotions 13th Edition (2024). Essential Emotions. https://essentialemotions.com/ ISBN 979 8 9913569 0 9

‌Essential Oils Pure and Natural | doTERRA Essential Oils. (2017, March 24). Doterra.com. https://doterra.com/

Packheiser, J., Hartmann, H., Fredriksen, K., Gazzola, V., Michon, F., & Keysers, C. (2024). The physical and mental health benefits of touch interventions: A systematic review and multivariate meta-analysis. Nature Human Behaviour, 8, 1088–1107. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-01841-8

Toshniwal P. P. (2024, April 9). The healing power of touch: Study finds moderate health benefits across ages. News-Medical.

Total Wellness Publishing. (2023). The essential life : a simple guide to living the wellness lifestyle. Total Wellness Publishing. ISBN 9 781737 692461

Smith, M. C. (2023). A Unitary Theory of Healing Through Touch. [Review]. Indian Journal of Integrative Medicine.