Usually when a husband and wife are having trouble they
stop talking. Yeah, that's a BIG help.
Something you can do to start talking
again is to form an
emotional connection with your spouse. Try it.You’ll see
how easier it makes the whole talking thing.
Remember the adage, “People will forget what you said
but
not how you made them feel.” Holds true in marriage, too.
Don’t stress about finding the right words, tone of voice or
body language. Sure that stuff is important. BUT what really
touches your spouse is you speaking from your heart.
They Have Words Too
Your spouse has something to say, too (I know, that's the
problem you might be thinking...).
Just hear them out. What's
there to lose?
Just remember that we tend to filter communication through
our past experiences, which means you might hear
something your spouse didn’t even say or intend.
There's an easy way to correct this. Just ask
non-judgmental, clarifying questions, then
summarize what you heard.
This works because, 1) It reassures your suppose you're
listening, and 2) Creates the chance to clear up any
misunderstandings.
Hello - Is Anybody Home?
Feedback is essential.
When your partner speaks, they expect a response -verbal,
non-verbal or
both.
So offer a thoughtful, affirming response if you wish
to keep the lines of communication open.
If dealing with a conflict or a heated situation, you can be
firm BUT kind. Lose the shouting and take responsibility.
Simple? Not so much in the heat of the moment.
So take your time and do it right. No regrets.
Taking is really the easiest way to solve relationship
problems. Don’t worry about
making things worse
because you won't - and if you do, email me.
Until next time this is Mike Tucker & the Family and we
want YOU to be mad about marriage!
