Worth Repeating: 3 Common Communication Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Communication is the #1 issue couples ask for help with and in today’s episode, have got the goods to help you overcome some very common communication mistakes! Whether you need a total overhaul or just a few friendly reminders, today’s episode has practical, actionable advice to improve the communication in your marriage. 

Are you making the same mistakes most couples make with communication? Dr. Kim has pretty much seen it all so he’s here today to help us avoid those mistakes, and to build better communication instead. 

Episode highlights include:  

•  Three of the most common mistakes Dr. Kim sees over and over with couples he counsels: Blame, discounting, and distraction. 

• The impact each of these mistakes has on a spouse and marriage

• The practical steps to avoid each of these communication pitfalls 

 

Quotes from This Episode:

• When you resolve conflict, both of you have to take responsibility for your part in it. I’ve never seen an issue where 1 person was 100% responsible. - Dr. Kim 

• I think it’s easy for us to rationalize, fool ourselves, and take the time to think it through.  - Dr. Kim 

• I’ve done it, I’ve seen it in other wives: It’s easy for us in parenting to discount our husband’s opinion. - Lindsay 

• Listen in a way that you can let them know you heard what they said. - Dr. Kim 

• As a parent with kids in the home, it’s great to have the reminder that they are benefitting from us putting boundaries that let us have an adult relationship with our spouse. As important as they are to us, we should value showing them that solid foundation and modeling marriage for them.  - Lindsay 

• I identify with all three of these, I’ve done them all. It’s not something you just get right then coast, you have to stay on top of it. - Dr. Kim  

 

Questions for You:

• Do you use “I” statements to communicate what you need with your spouse? 

• For example: Instead of, “You always ignore me when I’m talking,” say, “I feel hurt when you scroll on your phone when I’m talking. I want to know that you care about what I have to say.” 

• Do you have questions about gaslighting, narcissism and blame in marriage? Send them in here and Dr. Kim will be answering listener questions in an upcoming Q&A episode

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Need more communication help? Sign up here to save your spot for Dr. Kim’s FREE webinar,  “7 Common Communication Mistakes Couples Make”

• Questions about gaslighting, narcissism and blame? Submit them anonymously HERE or DM us on Instagram. Dr. Kim will answer them in an upcoming episode 

• Want to reduce unnecessary arguments, decrease stress in your home, develop better understanding of your spouse, OR just strengthen your bond as a couple? Our 30-Day Communication Challenge is for you! 

• With Dr. Kim’s One Thing email, you’ll get one practical tip each weekday to build your marriage.

• The Marriage Multiplier is a quick weekly email that gives you practical ways to be intentional to grow your marriage. Sign up HERE!