Tag: I statements

Communication is key in relationships, and learning how to listen and feel heard is crucial when having discussions with your spouse.  Below are five tips that will help you assert your needs and communicate more effectively in order to create a healthy marriage.

1. Don’t reply. The hardest part of being a good listener is fighting the temptation to offer your opinions while your spouse is speaking. They are taking a courageous step to initiate a discussion about your relationship problems and you want to focus on being the listener and on your loved one’s message. If you are upset by what your partner says, reserve your response until they are finished speaking.

Summer is a popular time for honeymoons: that singular combination of vacation and celebration made all the sweeter by its stark contrast to the stressful period of wedding planning. It’s hard to top a honeymoon’s potential for sheer enjoyment of leisure time, which is why it can lead to problems.

When things feel effortless, it’s easy to take the health of your relationship for granted and fall into bad habits. Instead, you should seize the opportunity to put healthy communication practices in place.