Marriage Counseling Tips: What To Do When Your Spouse Won't Talk - part 2

by Nancy Wasson

Is Your Marriage in Trouble?

4.When you give your spouse a card or note asking if you can schedule a time to talk, include his or her favorite candy bar or a package of chewing gum-some small item that shows you pay attention to what your partner likes. With a candy bar, you might attach a note that says, "To my sweet Sweetie-could you please let me know when we can schedule a time to talk? Thanks so much. Enjoy the candy!"

5.Make a written list of your questions and include a "yes" and "no" box next to the question. Also include boxes that say "Undecided" and "Need More Details." Be as specific as you can. For example, you might make a list of possible activities and places to go on a "date night" and ask your partner to respond. In that case, you would put a category of "Other suggestions" at the bottom so your spouse could include additional ideas. Or you could make a list of possible times during the week that the two of you could reserve for private talks. Another idea is to make a list of things you think are important to resolve, and see if your spouse agrees or disagrees.

6.Look for something to "trade" with your spouse, such as offering to take the kids to a movie so your spouse can have friends over or enjoy some private time to relax. In return, negotiate for an uninterrupted time to discuss pertinent relationship issues-maybe a relative can keep the children or they can spend a weekend afternoon with friends. Or you might offer to do a certain chore that your partner detests doing in exchange for some "talk time," which your spouse may equate with being slowly tortured. Make a creative trade-off.

 

Save Your Marriage Today!

Have you ever stayed awake at night stressing about whether or not your marriage will last ... And what can you possibly do to save it?
Put an end to the stress and anxiety of not knowing what to do to save your troubled marriage! And discover proven methods to getting your marriage back on track.
Even if you are the only one who wants to work on it!
Check it out now!

7.Just because you think the tips won't work, don't prematurely discount them. I have worked with numerous clients in marriage counseling who have tried these tips or variations of them, and the results have often been amazing. Spouses who don't normally express feelings verbally sometimes respond in writing, much to the astonishment of their partners. In other cases, spouses who receive letters have initiated conversations about how the letter has opened their eyes to things they didn't realize before.

Use these seven tips to jumpstart your thinking about different ways to open communication channels with your spouse. And if one attempt falls flat, try another. That's what all successful researchers do-and they don't hide behind the words, 'It'll never work." Experiment with an open mind and you may be surprised at the results.

Copyright (c) Nancy Wasson


Related Articles:

What's Involved In Marriage Counseling
This article is about marriage counseling and encourages people to be prepared to buy in to the process despite the possible short term pain.

Marriage Counseling: Marriage Is Good For Your Health, Nagging May Be A Factor
New marriage counseling based research shows that marriage is actually good for your health.

Marriage Counseling - Is Talking To A Marriage Counselor Worth The Cost?
Marriage counseling is what people are quick to recommend when you have marital problems. But talking to a marriage counselor can be expensive. Besides, is it really worth the cost?

Marriage Counseling: What To Do When A Spouse Flirts Too Much
This marriage counseling article presents basic reasons spouses flirt and gives tips on what to do.

Marriage Counseling-Prevent Therapist Assisted Marriage Suicide
Too often, as a result of well meaning marriage counselors, marriage counseling does not actually help couples. Find the tools you need with Barbara Bartlein's 12.5 Step Program.

Back from Marriage Counseling Articles
to Marriage Counseling Articles Directory


   Marriage Counseling
   Home Page

   Couple Counseling
    Online Counseling
    Counseling Directory

   Relationship Advice
    Free Marriage Advice
    Sex Advice
    Marriage Sex

   Marriage Help
    Marriage Problems
    Saving My Marriage
    Communication Exercise

   Romance Ideas
    Marriage Quotes
    Romance Quizzes
    Romantic Comedy
    More Romantic Ideas...

   Romantic Vacations
    Romantic Getaways
    Best Romantic Getaways

   Marriage Articles
    Soul Mate - a pain in the...
    5 Steps to More Intimacy
    7 Habits of Successful...

   Marriage Poems
    Love Poems
    Relationship Poems
    More Marriage Poems...