Braeden Moffat

CH. 7 Positive Comments

FHS 2400 Period 6
7A: POSITIVE COMMENTS
Identify a significant loved one in your life. Without telling the person what you are doing, count the
number of negative comments that you make to that person. For every negative comment, try to make
five positive comments. Describe what happens. Note: Please, please, please dont go out of your way
to make negative comments to this person. The purpose of this assignment is to help us become more
aware of the number of negative comments that we make to our loved ones, the impact that those
negative comments have on them, and the impact that positive comments can have on our relationships.

A significant loved one in my life would be my Stepmom. The reason I chose her was specifically
due to our past. Anytime two families are brought together, there is going to be some contention between
them. For me specifically, I would fight with my Stepmom. In more recent times, our relationship has been
better than ever and negative comments are avoided to not ignite any anger and therefore cause negative
feelings towards one another. Due to this, I will be comparing our past relationship with the one we have
now.
At the very beginning of our relationship, things were more awkward than negative. We didnt
truly know each other and werent at the point of showing true feelings towards one another. As time
continued and I entered the teenage stage, not only did my behavior change, but our relationship did as
well. The fighting started small but over time continually grew. It is said, Although conflict is a normal part
of relationships, excessive conflict can have negative personal or relationship consequences (Strong
& Cohen, 2014, p. 259). The number of negative comments that were made were easily over 20 per day.
Today, if there are negative comments, there are less than 5 per day. The improvement in the
relationship with my stepmom started happening when I first began maturing emotionally. The small fact
that I could effectively communicate helped positively influence the relationship as well. Perhaps one of
the biggest reasons of our relationships improvement is after the 8 years of knowing each other, we finally
understand each other as people rather than forced family members.
The difference in our view towards one another and even the feeling in the home has improved
dramatically since the negative comments have ended. However, if I could go back in time, I wouldnt
change a thing. The reasoning being, all the negative experiences that happened only strengthened the

relationship in the end. I do not see the relationship we have today happening without the past we have
had.

Reference List

Strong, B, & Cohen, T.F. (2014) The marriage and family experience: Intimate relationships in a
changing society (12th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.