Creating I Messages

Creating I Messages

Task Instructions
A. Read the information found on the I Statements page

B. Create a document, and respond to the following three (3) statements and/or situations with an I Message statement.

I feel (state your feelings), when (state the undesired behavior you wish to stop), because (state why you feel the why you do) and (state your future expectations and or future consequences).

Note: After mastering the formula you may be more comfortable using a less structured statement.

Your partner calls you from work to tell you he/she will be home in one-half hour and he/she arrives home an hour and a half later. This is a weekly event.
Your friend calls the third time this month to cancel plans with you at the last minute to go out with their significant other.
You are trying to leave the house by 8:00 to get to your job on time, however, your 3-year-old child is dawdling again this morning.

C. On the same document, describe another situation (in a paragraph 5-6 sentences each) where an “I Message” might be appropriate.

D. Lastly, describe one real-life situation (in a paragraph 5-6 sentences each) where you used an “I Message” recently.

E. Add a paragraph to explain how the real-life situation would have been different if “you statements” were used in place of the I messages.