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| Family - Weekend Effect Family Dialogue Becomes A Value At The Section 10 Convention Tom & Nelda Fetzer We had tried for the past several years to explain what a family dialogue is to our two daughters. The idea never seemed to take off with them. After struggling many times to explain it, and to model it to them, we finally gave up. But then we went to the Section 10 Convention in Dallas on June 18th and 19th. This convention was titled “A Family of Believers” Wow, what an experience! The first presentation on Friday night dealt with “family dialogue”. It was well presented by Fred ? Jenny Monger and their son Sean. We didn’t think that our girls, who are 8 and 11, really paid attention, or understood what the presentation was all about. Boy, were we wrong! As usual, after the presentation, there was a dialogue – this time a family dialogue. The girls hit the ground running. It was a truly remarkable experience to see them really try to write down and express their feelings. By the time we left the convention Friday night, we were tired. But the girls decided we should stop and get them some dialogue books, so that we could dialogue once we got to our hotel room We told them that we were tired and we would get them some Saturday night. Saturday night, we were even more tired than we were Friday night. We finally got them some dialogue books Sunday, and we dialogued Sunday night. They asked about dialoguing with us every day until we got home. Finally, we all agreed that we would have a family dialogue with them every Sunday night, and Mom and Dad would dialogue every other night alone. It has taken some adjustment to dialogue with them every week. They are still perfecting their techniques and sometimes need to ask how to spell some words. But, they have learned how to take the list from the back of a calendar and find the word that best describes their feeling. Then they use the other side of the list to find ways to describe their feelings as best as they can. After we each read our letter out loud, we decide – by voting – who’s feeling was strongest and try to draw out more information until we each understand the letter-writer’s feeling. Then we all decide on the question for the next week. As you can see, we don’t exactly follow the WEDS that we tell the couples on the weekend. But we do Write, Read our letters out loud, Dialogue, and Select like everyone else would do. I just wish someone had taken a video of the presentation. Imagine this – families opening up their communication by using dialogue. Think of the stresses that could be eliminated if your teenager were to open up to you and let you know what they were feeling on the inside – just like when your spouse opens themselves to you in their dialogue letter.
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