A Little More Conversation

You may be surprised at the idea of having to re-learn communication. After all, you and your spouse have been communicating effectively for years.

That may be so, but being new parents can be overwhelming, time-consuming and stressful. When was the last time you had a real conversation with your spouse? If you cannot remember, a little refresher course is in order:

Set regular ‘talk’ times

Set aside time just for yourselves to talk – at breakfast, while taking the baby out for a stroll or at bedtime. Be specific and commit to these dates. If you need to cancel, be sure to reschedule.

Ask questions

Do not assume you know each other inside out. Neither of you are mind readers. Get into the habit of asking questions before you decide what it is your spouse is really trying to tell you.

Listen generously

Being a good listener means listening without interrupting and being able to reflect back what your spouse said accurately. Put yourself in his shoes. Hear him out before interjecting or making conclusions.

Equal opportunity & time

Every conversation is a give and take. You may feel that your spouse has taken you for granted and want to rant and rave for hours but do not monopolise all the ‘talk time’. Let your spouse talk too. You may feel differently once you listen to what he has to say.

No complaints, just requests

Complaints are negative and make your spouse feel defensive. Why not turn them into requests? Instead of saying, “I’m doing everything myself and you’re not helping!”, say, “Can you help prepare dinner while I give the baby a bath?”

One at a time

Several problems can plague a couple at any one time: baby, money, work or in-laws. Do not be overly ambitious and be pressured to resolve everything at one go. Tackle one problem at a time.