A new relationship is very exciting, and so is a new marriage. Nonetheless, the reality is that all couples face challenges eventually.
Overcoming these challenges is certainly possible, but this requires effective communication. If communication breaks down between spouses, then arguments and conflict tend only to get worse. Here are a few tips that could help to enhance marital communication.
A structured approach
When conversations aren’t structured, they can soon turn into arguments, with one spouse shouting over the other. A more structured approach can help to encourage a more productive conversation.
There is a technique called the speaker-listener technique. It is a very simple technique, but it helps many couples with communication. This technique encourages one party to speak at a time, with the other listening intently. Sometimes, feeling listened to is all it takes to overcome a dispute.
The little things count
Effective communication is often subtle. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple “How are you feeling?”, “How was your day?, or “I’m proud of you”. This shows your spouse that you care and are interested in what is going on with their lives at work or outside of the household.
Tone is important
Tone and use of language is very important when it comes to effective marital communication. It is generally never a good idea to use an accusatory tone. For example, saying something like, “You never want to spend time with me,” is likely to cause an argument. Instead, phrasing it like, “I feel like we should do something together this week,” may be much more productive.
Many issues can be resolved with effective communication, but that isn’t always the case. If you feel like divorce is on the horizon, it will be beneficial to seek legal guidance.