But one day, Matt realized he had changed his mind.
Not only did he want a child, but he could think of little else.
The more he avoided the topic, though, the stronger his desire grew.
Annie and Kate have been partners for 30 years.
How do we have these difficult conversations and still keep our relationships intact?
Like so many other aspects of our relationships, this is a very complicated but learnable skill.
I call it the “black belt of relationships,” and it’s something we can all learn.
There are five steps to managing difficult conversations.
Consider that what you have to say is probably going to be hard for your partner to hear.
Imagine their distress (and even blame) toward you.
Keep breathing and stay grounded.
Know that you don’t have to react; just stay responsive.
Set the right tone in the beginning.
Begin the conversation in a positive way.
Tell the truth without pushing to have your way.
Let the outcome remain open.
Remember, a partnership is a commitment to another person.
To do this, you have to make room for themeven when it’s inconvenient and hard to hear.
Stay present with what your partner is saying.
Remind them that your love for them and your commitment to the relationship has not changed.
Know when to reach out for help.
Don’t wait for the final exam!
