Couples Communication

Do you want to learn better tips and tricks on how to communicate better with your spouse? Who doesn't?! In the short-term, read this article and see the 11 Rules of Good Relationships, taken from http://www.thirdage.com/.  To learn some long-term skills, please attend the Fleet & Family Support Center's "Couples Communication" class, May 18 from 2-4PM or May 24 from 1-3 PM.  To register, call 998-4042 or visit the NASL FFSC Facebook page and send an email.

Here are the basic rules of good communication:

1. The speaker can say what he or she thinks needs to be said, except for derogatory statements, shaming words, blaming words and globalizing words. Nothing to inflame the conversation. Just facts, feelings and true and honest thoughts.

2. The listener fully listens to what is being said -- even when having a reaction. Breathing through the reactions, giving the speaker the respect of being listened to.

3. When the speaker is done, the listener will reflect back to the speaker a summarized version of what the speaker said, to make sure the speaker is fully understood.

4. The speaker will take this opportunity to further clarify what he or she said and will restate the goals of the conversation.

5. If the speaker provides new information, the listener will come back with a summarized version of what the speaker said, to make sure the speaker is fully understood.

6. Now the listener gets to switch roles with the speaker. The new speaker now speaks freely, truly and honestly, but carefully.

7. The new listener gets to listen fully and later summarize what the speaker has said.

8. Take turns until both of you feel resolved about the topic of the original conversation. Don't end the conversation before that point. Don't give up on what you want, need and feel.

9. If tempers do flare, voices get raised, or things are said that should not be, take a break.

10. Later, when both of you have cooled off, apologize to each other.

11. If need be, schedule a time to have the conversation again, and work through the steps again until the point of resolution.