This is a life-changing moment; give it, and more importantly your partner, the time and respect they deserve.
- Pick a time and place where you can have an uninterrupted conversation.
- Prepare your partner by explaining that the conversation is important and essential.
- Try not to ‘blurt it out’ during a heated conversation. If possible choose a time when both of you are calm.
- Ensure that you have thought about what you want to say beforehand.
- Keep calm and breathe slowly, it will help!
- Try not to interrupt each other, wait until the other person has spoken.
- Really listen to each other.
- Check you have heard correctly by repeating what you thought you heard.
- Correct if it’s not accurate.
- If either person becomes heated or angry, call a time out and try again once you are both calm.
- Give your partner some space, allow the information to sink in, expect an outrage or silence.
- Talk again when they are ready to talk.