Join us in this engaging discussion as we explore the essential role of communication in nurturing healthy family relationships. Together with our guest, Derek Boylan, we shed light on how communication serves as the bedrock for expressing needs, conveying information, and solving problems between partners, parents, and children. We reveal the surprising insight that habitual avoidance of conflict is a significant predictor of divorce, often more so than constant arguments. By addressing the silence and lack of communication that often precede a breakup, we aim to empower listeners to foster open dialogues in their relationships.

Discover the nuances of effective communication, where tone and body language can significantly influence interactions. We discuss the common challenges couples face, especially in the early stages of their relationships, such as negotiating household responsibilities and making joint decisions. Miscommunication can lead to defensiveness, but with patience and a flexible approach, couples can navigate these challenges more successfully. By sharing personal anecdotes, like adjusting roles in managing household finances, we illustrate how treating negotiations as experiments can enhance understanding and cooperation.

Majellan Media

Because Families matter Most

In part two of our Communications session we take a closer look at how emotions impact on our relationships and how we communicate. We are also joined by some special guests to get children's perspective on communication. We suggest you listen to part one first. Click Here to go to Part 1. Communication is the theme of the second session of our focus series with Marriage Counselor Derek Boylen.

As much as good communication can build positive bonds and mutual respect, so can poor communication remove trust and break down the foundation of a relationship. An entire series could be focused on this topic alone. However we have condensed the subject into two incredibly informative sessions, with part I & II.

The brain loves novelty but what's novel today is boring tomorrow. Setting goals is a great way to help keep relationships fresh and continue growing. In new or old relationships, goals help families to stay excited about the future and give a sense of purpose and direction. Goals help us to prioritize the use of our time, money and resources. They give families a common purpose and they become milestones on the journey.

In this Focus Session Derek describes how goals work to strengthen families and explores how to set goals as a family. Need more? Derek Boylen is an experienced relationship counselor and is available for private consultation.

One of the most common challenges for couples, especially younger couples is where the extended family interferes with relationships and it can feel like you are the 'meat in the sandwich' dealing with conflicts between your partner and your extended family. Derek explores the many reasons for meddling and shares ways to deal with an extended family member who may be causing issues.

Another issue Derek covers is having to set boundaries with extended family members. He provides some great strategies on how to set boundaries which is one way of strengthening relationships between all concerned. Need more? Derek Boylen is an experienced relationship counselor and is available for private consultation.

Family finances is one of the most difficult things to talk about and less than 10% of families have a budget. Finances can also be one of the biggest relationship breakers – especially when money gets tight or we get into difficult times.

Different ideas or –‘habitudes’ - about money can create unnecessary stress on relationships and because there is no romance in speaking about finance most of us don’t cover the topic with our loved ones.

Derek explains how to have conversations about money, how to be aware of the different views each of us may have about money and describes how we can budget in a positive way.

Regardless of your financial position this Focus Session will be of value.

There is no perfect way to parent and sometimes we are going to get it wrong!

As we know children are constantly growing and developing and it is important that our parenting also needs to be open to change and development. Research tells us that healthy parent child relationships require both connectedness and flexibility and importantly parenting needs to be balanced. In a healthy parenting relationship children also need boundaries and lots of love and a wonderful sense of connection.

We’ve been entrusted to a special relationship with our children. Derek explores parenting and reminds us to stop and cherish what’s before us as parents.

At whatever stage of parenting you are this Focus session is not to be missed!

Need more?

Derek Boylen is an experienced relationship counsellor and is available for private consultation.

Infidelity is more common than we think and often it is painful and hidden for couples; 25% of couples will experience infidelity and it’s a problem equally for both men and women. However, there are more ways people can be unfaithful beyond physical or emotional infidelity.

When there has been emotional or physical infidelity it can be difficult, and a big part of the challenge will be the emotional imbalance within the relationship.

In this Focus Session, Derek covers some basic principles about how to first start talking about it as couples and how they can recover and build an amazingly strong relationship, deeper than they imagined possible, even after infidelity, if they are willing to work on it.

For more great resources on relationships and family visit majellan.media

In this Focus Session of Figuring out Families, marriage counsellor Derek Boylen talks about what to do when there appears to be no hope in a relationship.

The types of pressures on families today are far greater than ever before so Derek discusses what can be done to ease the pressures and puts forward a number of suggestions on how to seek professional help if the family situation is deteriorating.

He adds that if the relationship breaks down without hope of resolution, there are things couples can do to protect themselves and their children.

If you feel the relationship is ending this episode is for you.

Derek Boylen is an experienced relationship counsellor and Lecturer in relationships at the University of Notre Dame