Ooopps, Jamesjohn, you're right...typo on my part because she did say 5!
Thanks for the input. We escaped the the teenagers this weekend & took a mini-vacation. I did find myself getting into a funk at one point due to thinking that H rarely initiates any R discussions. Since we are both still somewhat unsure about reconcilling...that leaves me feeling like I'm being tested on something but don't know what he's looking for or not, because he doesn't communicate with me very often. Silent Sam living in his Own Private Idaho..geez. I couldn't think of a way to view that as a positive, so forced myself to quit thinking about it and not let my negativity spoil the time we were spending together.
We both agree that we got into trouble by not communicating, assuming we knew what the other was thinking and neglecting our relationship. How to follow the suggestion about not pushing R talks if we are trying to rebuild and part of the problem was rarely having any R talks and MC is strongly encouraging us to start communicating more on that level?
Great suggestions on praise and compliments, thank you & I will put them to use.
Thanks for the specific examples. Yes, it does feel awkward at first, but trying to do it anyway. Thanking seems to come easier than actual compliments.
I hadn't thought about conciously noticing ways your partner shows appreciation, but that's a really good suggestion too.
