Columnist Joel Stein in the December 21 issue of TIME labeled 2015 as “The Year the Adults Gave Up” in a provocative article. Is he correct in his assertion that parents en masse are giving up?

Read more for tips on how to promote productive conversations using the process of perception-checking.

The essential first step in crafting a difficult conversation is to reclaim a healthy respect for the power of words. When preparing to engage another in a difficult conversation we must acknowledge and anticipate the impact our words could have on another.