How to Keep the Lines of Communication Open

[annihilate_me]

You know that starting a relationship can be the easiest part of the relationship growing process. Being able to maintain that relationship is what will make it healthy and long lasting and the key ingredient to maintaining that relationship is by keeping the lines of communication open.

Here are some insights that you can use to continue connecting to your partner:

1. Share your thoughts and feelings with each other without making the other person feel stupid for what they're feeling. You both need to be able to speak your mind without the other person rolling his eyes or scoffing at your remarks.

Support is needed in order to keep sharing what's going on with each other. Once that support is gone, the lines of communication will instantly close down. Reaffirm what it is you heard them say and acknowledge that they have a right to their feelings.


2. Talk out your differences. You and your partner won't always get along and there will be differences because it's a natural occurrence for all couples. The key is to be able to talk out those differences and come up with some kind of middle ground. If one person wants one thing and the other person wants another, a compromise needs to be decided upon that meets each partner's needs.




3. Listen! Being able to listen to your partner when they need it encourages them to talk when they need to. Don't interrupt them but let them say what they need to and then take your turn. When a partner feels that the other person isn't listening, their lines of communication can close down.


4. Build trust and honesty. Tell your partner the truth about your feelings and avoid lying. Lies will only build on other lies and will ultimately kill trust in a partnership completely. When there's no trust between two people, the relationship will suffer and will more than likely end on a bad note.


5. Take things seriously. If your partner brings up a concern they have, take it seriously. Don't brush it off as nonsense. If it's a concern for them, it needs to be worked out, so help support them in that matter. If you don't take it seriously, they won't take you seriously and communication will cease to exist.


6. Stay positive. Maintain a positive attitude with your partner as much as possible. It's not always easy to do, but it is essential for communication. Negative attitudes lead to negative relationships, and there will be no communication in the end. A positive attitude encourages more communication and allows a relationship to grow.


7. Let things out. Don't keep thoughts or feelings bottled up inside you. If you do, your true feelings will come out in a torrent of anger, and the other person will be hurt.


By maintaining these key points in your relationship, you can ensure that the lines of communication will stay open. You can grow a healthy relationship that will last a lifetime.

Original text found at http://yourlifeafter50.com/2007/07/r...nication-open/.

[annihilate_me]

I've been looking for articles and things that I can discuss with Tom.

We both stated that our fault in our relationship were errors in communication.

I think in any relationship, whether young or old we have to make it a point to communicate.

[Chy]

A big one that I use and took me awhile to realize the difference it makes in communicating, is don't use the "You" word, "Well you, You should, You are... change it to "I feel"... this is a BIG one I promise and really does work, you get more understanding and sensitivity from your partner.

Sorry to hear about you two Amanda, I know it's hard just means it wasn't meant to be. When one door closes another opens, the universes way of saying there is someone better for you out there. *hugs*

[Done-With-It!]

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