Productive Conversations Course: Families with Older Adults, Conflict Resolution with Multigenerational Families

Enroll in MV Mediation Program's Productive Conversations Course and work with our conversation guides to identify conflicts within your own family:

√ Take this course with your parent or adult child

• Learn about Conflict Resolution

• Reflect on Family Conflict History

• Use Conflict Resolution Planning Tools  

Email education@mvmediation.org for more information.

When: TBD

How:    On zoom • participate from anywhere • education@mvmediation.org to register

Why:    Because you want to have Productive Conversations with your family

Who:    Multigenerational families—older adults with grown family members

           Individuals can take this course including those working in elder services

THE COURSE

Lifelong Conflict Concepts — DATES TBD

Using a dynamic web creation process, participants help to collaboratively develop a chart that depicts the conflict concepts they have developed throughout their lives. Looking together to gain perspective, the class discusses theories about conflict’s nature and effects.

Conflict Styles — DATES TBD

There are five basic styles that individuals adopt as conflict managers. Knowledge of conflict resolution styles may assist us to understand ourselves better and extend that understanding to others. Participants will meet in small groups to explore each conflict style together.

 Positions and Interests — DATES TBD

Recognizing the difference between positions and interests can reveal a new avenue toward more effective conflict resolution. Participants will consider hypothetical and actual conflicts, using tools to uncover interests.  Families will meet with a Conversation Guide to discuss a simple conflict.

Values, Needs, Identity, Feelings — DATES TBD

Understanding the role that each of these concepts play in conflict can be eye-opening.  Utilizing lists, participants work to consider these lenses and how they and others might react to a common set of conflicts. The idea is to learn how to analyze conflict and to be able to find common ground.

CONVERSATION GUIDES

You and your family will have time during each class session to chat together. You can schedule a longer family discussion session with a Conversation Guide at a convenient time.  Conversation Guides are fully trained and qualified as mediators and facilitators and have experience working with older adults and families using neutral and supportive discussion techniques.  

PROGRAM OUTLINE

Stage One-- Learn about Conflict Resolution

Through a 4-session interactive course, family members will deepen their understanding of conflict resolution theory and practices.

Stage Two--Reflect on Family Conflict History

Through a shared and guided process, family members consider their family conflict resolution histories from varied perspectives.  Mutuality is the goal in this stage of the program. Conversation guides will help to facilitate these conversations.

Stage Three--Use Conflict Resolution Tools to Plan as a Family

Working with a mediator/facilitator, the family establishes best practices for decision-making, problem solving and approaching difficult life decisions. If needed the mediator assists with formalized mediation sessions as well as referrals to agencies with specialized support services. 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW 

Most families have developed conflict resolution methods with minimal consideration or training.  ‘We do what was done to us.’  Generational attitudes of avoidance, aggression and/or shaming/blaming persist in many families.  As the older generation ages and transitional decisions must be made among extended family members, MV Mediation can provide neutral, confidential and professional services to help participants to have Productive Conversations.

Families participating in the Productive Conversations Program have the option to work with a Conversation Guide.  Guides are fully trained and qualified as mediators and facilitators and have experience working with families and older adults.  We invite family members and close associates to take advantage of the PCP classes, planning processes as well as individual and family conversations.  Working with a Conversation Guide, the goal is for families to preserve and strengthen family relationships while developing self-determined agreements. 

Testimonials

“I was terrified when I came into the court. It seemed like the end of the world. Thanks to my compassionate and understanding mediators, I was able to have a productive conversation with someone I considered an adversary. I couldn’t believe we were able to work it out without going in front of a judge. Thank you MVMP.”

– Small Claims Client

“I was really not looking forward to mediation. But it turned turned out to be relatively pleasant. I really enjoyed working with the two of you. I plan to recommend mediation to others.”

– Divorce Client

“You brought us all together. It was awesome. I am so relieved. All our people felt uplifted, more united and part of a team. In particular one Board member said she felt she was taken care of with kindness and wisdom. We all know each other much better, have defined our work together and are in such better shape than we were when we started. Thank you MVMP.”

– Facilitation Client

“If you have the chance to do Conflict Coaching, DO IT! It was eye opening for me. My coach was kind, insightful and such a great listener. Most importantly, I learned so much about myself and about how I handle conflict. I now have a good, solid conflict management plan for the future.”

– Conflict Coaching Client

“It was valuable to help me handle a current conflict in my workplace. Putting a positive spin on conflict was an eye-opener for me. It gives me a structure to address problems. We had a very serious conflict at work recently so this is very important and relevant to me right now.”

– Workplace Conflict Management Services