"Your family is pretty dysfunctional, huh?"
This phrase will trigger a strong reaction no matter who you say it to, Tabakman says. "I said this to an ex-boyfriend in the middle of fight because I was trying to tell him that his family's dysfunction was creeping into our relationship," says Kim, 36. "But it only made him hurt and angry, and it certainly didn't help the situation."
It's no wonder this comment backfires. "As human beings, we want to know that our partners are going to be primary in helping us nurture our strongest relationships," Tabakman says. So what's the right way to tell your guy that his family has issues? Go easy, she advises. "Aim to say things in a way that's easy for people to digest, especially if it's something big like this." That means saying something like, "I know your family is important to you, but I feel like they might be affecting our relationship. Can we talk about this?"
"We can't afford that!"
It's true - you can't afford the ridiculously large flat-screen TV your husband just brought home. But don't flip out just yet, Tabakman says. "This kind of reaction is a real buzz kill, especially when you're excited about something," says Mike, a 34-year old who's been married for 6 years. That's not to say you shouldn't voice your opinion - just count to ten first.
"Often times we mask our fears and insecurities in anger," she says. Instead of screaming at your husband for being irresponsible, explain to him why you're so upset. "You might say, 'I'm happy that you're so excited about this TV, but I have some concerns about how we're going to pay the mortgage this month'," she says.
Want to improve your relationship? Here are six tips for successful communication with your guy.
First published in Chatelaine.com's April 2007 issue.
© Rogers Publishing Ltd.



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