Tough Conversations

Solutions Through Compassionate Communication.

Sibling Rivalry: A Coat of Many Colors

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Carolyn Parr, http://toughconversations.net, discusses sibling rivalry. {3:45 minutes to read} “I’m a walking work of art!” Joseph sings as he twirls in his lovely coat, delighted with his gift from Jacob, his Dad.

Last weekend my husband and I took our granddaughter to see Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” a lighthearted retelling of a serious Biblical story. Joseph is Jacob’s favorite son. Joseph’s bragging and sense of entitlement made his 11 brothers hate him. They sold him into slavery and claimed a wild animal devoured him. [Read more…]

Trust and Transparency

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Sig Cohen, http://toughconversations.net, takes a look at the importance of open communication between family members when writing Wills or other legal documents. A lack of trust and transparency between parents and their children, or among the siblings themselves, is common in many cases we mediate. Too often parents name one of their children executor of their will or financial power of attorney, or both, without telling the other siblings.

Or informing them after the fact.

While parents may think they are doing the right thing because they are planning for when they might lack capacity to make good decisions, not including the other siblings in the process can have negative results. [Read more…]