157. Six Biblical Ways for Christian Empty Nest Couples to Strengthen Communication, Part 1

Let’s learn some practical tools to reconnect and strengthen our communication.

Incorporate intentional conversations(how-tos in the show notes), practice active listening, and embrace grace and forgiveness.

Daily Check-In Script:

Person A starts by saying: 

I feel __ _ _ _ about my work.

                                       myself

                                        us

                                        children

                                        spirituality

After each feeling statement, the partner mirrors why they just heard without correcting, blaming, shaming, trying to fix, or arguing with their partner.  Try to avoid feeling words like “good,” “bad,” “fine,” “ok,” etc, since they lack depth. When Person A is finished and Person B has mirrored each item back, it’s Person B’s turn.

Example: Person A: "I felt pretty frustrated about work since two people called in sick, and I had to cover their jobs and couldn’t get my projects done.”

Person B: “So it was pretty frustrating you had to do other people's jobs.

Check-ins don’t have to take a lot of time; it can take less than 5 minutes. Have some ritual about how and who starts this. Otherwise, the person who always feels like they have to initiate or prompt the other one to “check-in” will feel discouraged. 

Check-ins take practice and repetition and may feel awkward initially, but ultimately, you’ll feel more connected.

HELPFUL LINKS: 

Free Guide: Marriage Awareness Worksheet here

Free Discovery Session with certified Empty Nest Coach, Pamela here

Take the free 2-minute Quiz here

Review + Rate podcast here

Follow Pamela on Instagram here

Follow Pamela on Facebook here

Pamela's website with free resources here