How Do I Say This: Too Much Time With His Family

Name: How Do I Say This: Too Much Time With His Family
Uploaded: 2023-07-25T10:00:55+00:00
Duration: 55 s
Channel: Vanessa Marin
Description: A short video by couples therapist Vanessa Marin offering exact wording and scripts to help partners talk about spending time with a partner’s family…

25 Jul 2023 · 1 min

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A short video by couples therapist Vanessa Marin offering exact wording and scripts to help partners talk about spending time with a partner’s family without triggering defensiveness. The clip contrasts what not to say (blaming language) with specific, loving phrasing and concrete requests (days/times/rituals) to preserve couple time.

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Welcome back to How Do I say this? A series where I, a couples therapist, give you specific scripts for your communication challenges. Be careful when talking about your partner's family because it is so easy for them to get defensive about this. So here's what not to say. Don't say anything like we spend too much time with your family. Here's what I'd say instead. Babe, I love your family. I love spending time with them. They are the greatest. And lately I've been finding myself missing you and missing us. Then make specific requests for days, times or activities that you would like to do solo. Another way that you can do this is turn it into a little ritual. Like I would love for us to have Monday night dinners just the two of us. Let me know in the comments what's something that you are struggling to tell your partner and make sure to follow the series to see if I pick your question.