Listening

When someone talks, listen and hear them out.
Put yourself in his/her's shoes.
Remember that there are always differences in backgrounds among us. even between members of the same family. Each person sees things from his or hers perspectives.

A first born child and one who has been an only child for a long time (and has been the center of attraction all the while) will worry at the thoughts of having a new additional member in the family. Child number two who has entered into a ready made family of three- with a sibling in the middle of it will view and expect things differently. Always try to reserve judgment until all facts are in.

Do not assume anything. What is being said might not seem important to you, but it is important to the speaker, or he would not have taken the time to say it. A good way to hurt someone's feeling is to ignore, even unintentionally, what he or she has to say. Take the time to listen, there's no such word as 'too busy' especially when it comes to those who are very close to you. There might not be a 'next time'..