Jessica wonders why she and Steve don't seem to have much to say to each other lately. Bickering has become a frequent pastime. It seems he's only interested in being with her when he has sex in mind. However, Jessica ponders when it would be a good time to broach a conversation.
Jessica starts with, "Babe, can we talk?" These are among the most dreaded words in any language to the vast majority of men. He only hears, "I'm in trouble."
And so it begins - the unfortunate cycle repeated in homes, restaurants, and parks around the globe.
Men know they feel "in trouble" when these words are spoken. What many men don't always know about themselves is "WHY." You're mystified.
The secret is that men's happiness in relationships depends primarily on whether their partners are happy—and specifically satisfied.
Men want to feel emotionally connected just as much as you do. Too often, these attempts to connect backfire and are annoying, frustrating, and even confusing to both of you. He cleans off your car in every snow, shares the chores, approaches you for sex, works hard to be a good provider, and ensures all the insurance premiums are paid. You tell him you want to spend more time with him, improve the communication between the two of you, and suggest some fun things to do together. He disappears into his man cave of stony silence.
"What the heck goes so wrong?" you both ask. What is so wrong is that he feels he's tried so hard to show his love and affection—and you're not satisfied! AND he's in the doghouse again. What puzzles you is that you tell him what you want, and he's not inspired.
When you tell him what you want, he hears how he's fallen short. He feels he's failed in his job as a partner and retreats in shame, usually disguised as anger or withdrawal. You feel misunderstood and deserted.
Drs. Love and Stosny, in the book "How to Improve Your Marriage Without Talking About It" assert that there are significant gender differences afoot, set in motion by biology at birth, and solidified by socialization. We're taught how to avoid shame and fear according to our gender.
What I often hear from women is, "How do I cope with this man I love? How can I connect with him?" The answer isn't complicated. But it does require looking through a different lens. Here are four tips to get you started:
When you say, "We need better communication," you usually mean, "I want you to understand me." And he wants this just as much. One significant way a man communicates is to do things for his partner to make her happy. When these efforts aren't noticed and put in the "I feel loved" column, he feels he hasn't been "heard," much less understood.
One thing that helps is to learn to "hear" the language of men. You might think, "Changing the lightbulbs is great, but that's not what makes me feel loved." However, recognizing that this is his effort to love and care for you can be a game-changer. When he feels acknowledged and appreciated for these practical efforts, he is more likely to stay present with you, and his man cave feels less beckoning.
If you disrupt the cycle of misunderstanding and missed cues, then communication channels have a much better chance of being open. He is then likely to be able to hear and understand you.
Do you want to facilitate a dramatic shift towards a far more enjoyable relationship?
Tough as is it, changing this cycle requires you to temporarily set aside your frustrations and build a bridge between the two of you. Knowing your neurobiological differences makes a world of difference.
Dr. Stan Tatkin states in his book "Wired Love" partners who become experts on each other can learn what pleases and soothes their partners. Herein lies a critical key to a satisfying relationship. If you understand the differences in your neurobiology, those familiar arguments and impasses can fade and dissolve.
There are "Do's and Don'ts" that may feel challenging but help you achieve a much more loving and closer relationship:
DO: Accept and appreciate out loud all the things he does for you and your family.
DON'T: Criticize him. Most issues that are tense between the two of you can be discussed without criticism.
See his eyes light up when you tell him you appreciate that he gets up and goes to work every day (regardless that you're doing the same). What's important to him is that you know that the reason he does much of what he does is to make you happy.
DO: Be affectionate
DON'T: Complain that he's not affectionate.
You might complain that the only time he's affectionate is when he wants sex. Men often look to connect emotionally through inviting their partner into a sexual encounter.
If you're not in the mood, build a bridge between you and being open to touching. This could be a hot bath, a conversation, a foot massage, a walk together. If you have to pass, propose an alternative that is physically connecting and make good on a rain check for sex.
DO: Be that person anyone would want to be within a relationship. Listen to what he has to say, show interest, propose a fun activity, be complimentary.
DON'T: Bring up loaded issues when you're having fun or relaxing time together.
If you refer to things on his "to-do" list that hasn't been done, a pet peeve, or your best advice on how he could lose weight, he'll feel pounced on by you. That man-cave will seem very appealing.
DO: Ask if this is a good time for him to listen to something important you need to share. Be a safe person for which he can be in a conversation. Be vulnerable. Let him know that you realize he may not have intended to offend you.
DON'T: Ambush him. Don't try to talk with him when you're angry. Don't lay out your self-improvement program for him. He'll only hear, "Here's how you've failed."
If you unload on him when you're angry, his ears will close. Wait until you've identified your more vulnerable feelings that triggered the anger first. He can more likely hear that you're hurt, feel ignored, or unimportant.
These suggestions most likely won't feel natural to do at first. Yet, they work. Remember, this is a win-win scenario. When couples feel connected, there are fewer problems. With understanding and respect for your differences, it's possible to change this common cycle of him feeling that he's failed you, and you are feeling misunderstood and abandoned.
When men feel they are successful partners and women feel understood, there are few problems you can't tackle together as a team.
If you are struggling with happiness in your marriage or relationship, we're here to help. Check out our Imago Relationship Workshops and Relationship Therapy. We also have Online Couples Therapy and Online Couples Workshops right now!
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Deborah is a clinical social worker with over thirty-five years of experience in private practice in Washington, DC. She is an AASECT Certified Sex therapist and a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist, providing individual, couple and group psychotherapy, as well as clinical consultation.
Deborah has lectured on sex therapy and couples therapy at The Washington School of Psychiatry, The Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, and the Integrative Sex Therapy Institute in Washington, DC. She conducts seminars and consultation groups on couples therapy and sex therapy. She is passionate about integrating sex therapy and couples therapy and enabling couples to experience greater intimacy, both emotionally and sexually.
Visit Deborah at her website too!