The third principle for a healthy marriage is all about communication and conflict. Couples need to learn how to express their thoughts, feelings, and expectations in productive ways.
Talking Points:
- Marriage Basics #3: Healthy couples keep talking. Communication – and even conflict – is not something to fear. With good communication, you can be confident that you can resolve your conflicts and grow closer as a couple.
- Avoid the “fight languages”: Escalation, withdrawal and invalidation. These bad habits will derail healthy communication.
- Embrace good habits: Use “I feel..because” statements, be an active listener and get to solutions. This will assure healthy conflict resolution.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- How have you viewed conflict in your marriage up until now?
- On a scale of 1-10, how often do you feel like your spouse doesn’t understand your point of view? In your opinion, what contributes to the breakdown?
- Which of the fight languages do you struggle with the most? How has that affected your marriage?
- On a scale of 1-10, rate your ability to use your words constructively. In what ways can you improve?
- Review the good habits of communication. Which skill do you need to work on the most? How can those skills help you the next time you have a conflict?
- How often do you get to action steps in your conflicts? What keeps you from moving forward?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
