spouse Archives ⋆ Mike and Susan Dawson

The How-To Guide for Work Talk vs. Heart Talk

michaeldawsonlpc@gmail.com2024-01-08T01:17:47+00:00Communication|

Do you ever find yourself trying to communicate with your spouse and they just aren’t hearing what you’re saying? It’s like we’re speaking two different languages! The old joke goes that a wife calls her husband around 4 in the afternoon and says, “Hey, can you pick up a gallon of milk?” Husband says, “Sure, it’s only about 8 lbs.” Waaa Waaa. What we have here is a clear miscommunication. There are two different languages we speak as couples. Work Talk and Heart Talk. WORK TALK: Work Talk is the task oriented, schedule driven, let’s get stuff done kind of communication that can help make a weekly schedule. Work Talk [...]

Are you just Existing Like Roommates?

michaeldawsonlpc@gmail.com2024-01-08T01:17:48+00:00Relationships|

Are you living like roommates instead of having the intimate, close relationship you want with your spouse? There are lots of reasons why we grow apart. When Mike and I were young marrieds with a little one it was easy to do the necessary communications (work talk) to make the household functional without stopping to talk about where we were emotionally. Expressing emotions can be hard for some people, especially when you’re stretched thin by the demands of work, family, community, and other responsibilities. Trying to carve out time with your spouse to talk about deep things may even make them nervous or anxious, which creates a barrier of its [...]

6 Step Plan to Overcome the Overwhelm

michaeldawsonlpc@gmail.com2024-01-08T01:17:55+00:00Family|

Do you wonder how each week seems to end the same? A massive amount of activity with work, chores, gym, errands, repairs, games, church, civic meetings, sports, lessons, house and yard work, wash, cooking, shopping, volunteering, parties, appointments and more. You and your spouse using the Divide and Conquer method to try and control the chaos. All this in hopes of sneaking in a “date” wedged somewhere between paying bills and taking the kids to the doctor for the 5th ear infection this year. Breathe – You’re normal and living in a typical American home. The activities may be slightly different but the overwhelm is the same. Feeling stretched and [...]