Consider How Much to Share

How much should you share about your child and family if you become a family advisor?  Talking about your personal experiences can be a very effective way to illustrate a point and influence people's thinking.

Self-disclosure makes good sense when:

• You're at a time and place in your life where you have some perspective on your situation.
• The story has benefit for others.  It's not about your personal agenda, frustration, or current issue.
• You feel ready to share it. Trust your instincts. Share those parts of the experience that you feel ready to talk about. It is fine to keep some parts private.
• You are relatively comfortable talking about your experience.  You don't feel overly vulnerable, exposed or shamed by sharing the story with others.

Guidelines for self-disclosure:

• Stay with the focus of the conversation and the point you want to make—less is usually more.
• Protect the privacy of others.  Be mindful about what details you share about whom.  Stick with YOUR experiences.

Now that you have general guidance on becoming a family advisor, here are specific tips to help you educate others by telling your story or give feedback and share your ideas at meetings. Or you may return to Becoming a Family Advisor.