Launch: Navigating difficult relationships
Launch: Navigating difficult relationships [∞]
Objective:
Empower learners to explore strategies for understanding and managing difficult relationships through reflection, discussion, and decision-making.
Preparation (Before the Launch):
- Media Resource: Prepare a 2-minute video clip highlighting a story or scenario of a difficult relationship. Example: Pixar’s “For the Birds” (short animated film where a group of birds mistreats a larger bird, leading to a humorous yet insightful resolution). [1]
- Set up the room for a Socratic discussion (seating in a circle for inclusivity).
Launch Outline
1. Opening (2 minutes)
- Play the short media clip (Pixar’s “For the Birds” or another brief relatable scenario). [2]
- After the clip, ask learners:
“What stood out to you in that story? Why do you think the birds acted the way they did?”
2. Introduction to the Topic (2 minutes)
- Share this brief insight:
“Relationships can be tricky. Sometimes people are hard to understand or get along with. But every relationship gives us a chance to learn something important—about others and ourselves. Today, we’ll explore ways to handle difficult relationships and grow from them.”
3. A/B Socratic Questions (5-7 minutes)
Pose the following A/B questions and encourage learners to explain their answers. Allow time for back-and-forth dialogue.
- Understanding Others’ Actions:
- Option A: People act difficult because they are unkind.
- Option B: People act difficult because they are struggling with something we don’t know about.
“Which do you believe is more likely to be true, and how could this affect how you respond to them?”
- Responding to Conflict:
- Option A: Walk away from a difficult person to protect your peace.
- Option B: Try to talk things out and understand them.
“Which approach do you think works better, and why?”
- Self-Reflection:
- Option A: Difficult relationships are mostly about how the other person behaves.
- Option B: Difficult relationships are also about how I respond.
“Which do you think has more impact on improving a relationship?”
- Forgiveness and Boundaries:
- Option A: Forgiving someone means allowing them back into your life.
- Option B: Forgiving someone can happen while still setting boundaries.
“How do you see the balance between forgiveness and protecting yourself?”
4. Reflection and Takeaway (3-5 minutes)
- Reflection Prompt: Ask learners to quietly reflect on this question for 1-2 minutes:
“Think about someone you find difficult. What is one thing you can do this week to better understand or respond to them?”
- Group Share: Invite 2-3 learners to share their reflections or takeaways.
- Encourage them to connect their thoughts back to the A/B questions discussed.
- End with a positive challenge:
“Relationships aren’t always easy, but you have the power to make them better. This week, practice being kind or curious, even when it’s hard. You might just discover something amazing about yourself or someone else.”
Post-Launch Extension
- Provide learners with a journaling prompt for their free time:
“Write about a time when you had a difficult relationship. What could you have done differently? How might you handle a similar situation now?”
This short launch encourages active engagement, thoughtful discussion, and actionable insights on navigating difficult relationships.
