The Liberating Lockdown Talks

Kick-off: March 2020

A global conversation experiment.

We're in lockdown. So it's a good time to talk.
We use the time we usually have to spend commuting.

Unprejudiced, focused conversation requires ego free listening:
no interruptions and no judgement, no unnecessary comments
and no uncalled-for advice, no impatience. The result: connection.
Why is it crucial? Because family life in lockdown can really push
us to our limits. Or it can help us to make a new start.

Our motto is: We want to understand. Understand languages, cultures, lifestyles, religious and political
views, nature, science, the world and the human mind. Now, we want to understand each other.
The experiment of the Liberating Lockdown Talks focuses on us, on our family. What shall remain with
us when the crisis is over: Stronger family bonds. And kids with much better communication skills!

First, the situation we're in now.

Read in German!

We have time together.

March 2020. So here we are. An (almost) global lockdown.
How could we have been prepared for this? Millions of schoolkids
are at home, hopefully learning. So are their parents: Home office.
For weeks certainly, possibly for months. Today, there is no way
of knowing for how long we'll be together like this.

We even have time to spare.

There is this new timeframe, so many of us don't need to travel.
Not to school, not to work. The daily average commuting time is
90 minutes. We'll make excellent use of this extra time!

We have a unique opportunity.

There is a global sense of not wanting to carry on like we did once
this emergency is over. Let's talk about the future we'd like to have.
Now is the time to speak up. And to listen.

We are ready to change our habits.

So let's talk the talks we always wanted to!
Parents and children know a lot less about each other than they think.
Let your kids find out just how cool their mums and dads were (and presumably still are), discover how bright and "switched on" your kids really are. Go beneath the surface and find out what they think and believe. Let them know what you're thinking about, what you stand for and what has made you who you are today!
Hold an in-depth, ongoing conversation about the future you all want.

Lockdown and home office.
A tremendous nuisance.
And a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

How badly will we be getting in each other's way now? There may be too little space and conflicting interests. After all, everyone is meant to focus on their tasks and home offices can be challenging even without kids.
Now is the chance to get this right. We will give working time and talking time the quality they deserve.

And now: The liberating lockdown talks!

90 minutes a day. 60 with your own family, 30 with another.

60 minutes family talk. An hour a day, at least five times a week.
It's time to talk. The criteria for this hour: no disturbances, no work tasks, no school assignments, no digital devices, just parents and kids. Taking turns, everyone gets to hold the opening statement. On the premise of at least 20 minutes uninterrupted listening time and undivided attention.

It won't be easy. Focused listening is quite out of fashion.
Lots of people have to accept first: "Listening time is not just
the time you have to wait until it's your turn to speak again!"
But listening is the key to understanding each other.

Also essential: An agreement on the general conditions.
No interferences with others during learning and working hours.
No smartphones and no other distractions during mealtimes.
Focus and fair play throughout the day. During listening time:
No criticism or judgement, no interruptions, no silly comments.

Now, what will you talk about? What will your kids talk about?
All the things and stories, the thoughts and memories, the plans and ideas for which you never
had the time so far. Everything you'd like them to know about you. Or stuff that's bothered you for quite some time. Visions you've wanted to share and get feedback on. Finally, there is time for it.

You think you know your kids? Do your kids really know you? Do you know how they feel about the current situation or
if they worry about their future? Do they sleep well? Does it interest you what they learn? Does it interest them what you
actually do to earn what's going to be on the dinner table tonight? Find out now.

We predict: There will be days when 60 minutes will not be enough. So leave enough thoughts for the next day!

Plus another 30 minutes to connect abroad.
Just as important.

Global Native family partnerships are first and foremost language alliances. Our sons and daughters talk and write a lot online, exchange small talk, cooperate for exercises, discuss essays and homework, swap reading material, talk about series and movies, discuss politics and much more. Daily exchange throughout the year is the key to their language skills.
Across borders, our kids always get to know each other well.

Now, with so many of us at home, we all intensify our international relations online, we learn more about our partner families, discuss their views and experiences. The common denominator is strong: We will not let this crisis get us down, we want to come out united and stronger.
And we want to be better - as parents, as children, as students, as part of society, as global citizens of a post-corona world. The exchange of new opinions and knowledge is a major part of our endeavours.

30 minutes

Global Native families have a Famillage. Famillages are their global family villages - the sum total of their partnerships. Some entertain just one partnership, others many, depending on the number and age of their children and their individual desire for international connection. If you are not a member feel cordially invited to join us! In any case - member or not - you'll find family talks very liberating!

This is about more than overcoming a crisis.
The liberating lockdown talks unite families worldwide.
Let's cultivate our new conversation!

On Friday, March 13, we started this as an experiment for Global Native families in lockdown mode. We invited them to participate and asked for feedback.

Who takes part? How do you cope? How do the kids react? What are your strongest issues and your favourite topics? What are your children's priorities? What has surprised you most? And how about climate change? Do you keep a journal (highly recommended!)? And of course: Do the talks work for you?

All feedback is collected by our think tank team led by Dr. Michael Wu, where the information is analysed in a timeline parallel to media coverage and the ongoing development of the pandemic.

One of the first conclusions to be drawn is this: Kids are quick to rethink their priorities. This is no time for superficialities. Influencers and tutorials for immaculate make-up are clearly losing their appeal to a range of new role models!

Feedback from families outside our community is very welcome! Please write to [email protected]

Feel cordially invited to join the experiment.
It is addictive!

The blog tells you how some families cope!