It all started with a math problem. A sixth grade math problem to be exact. We were helping to figure out a problem for my little cousin’s homework and Wyatt thought of a way to get the answer that I thought was too complicated to try to explain. He was upset because it seemed like I didn’t care that he’d taken the time to figure it out. I was upset because I was tired of dealing with it and didn’t want to have to explain all of that over the phone…
Pretty soon he snapped at me when I tried to explain why I had ignored his suggestion (2 mistakes right there!) and I was immediately so angry and upset that I started to cry in the parking lot. Then we drove to Walmart and I was trying to calm down enough that I didn’t have running eye make up all over the place. But that didn’t really work because I’m a terrible crier and I have trouble breathing once I’m trying to hold in my tears and then they usually just keep coming, no matter how much I want to shut them off. So I’m sure by this point, I had both a runny nose and running mascara. Yay.
But it’s amazing what a few short minutes of good conflict resolution will do for a situation. It’s really a simple concept. For example, I went from crying in the car to laughing as we walked through the aisles at Walmart (because I knew I looked terrible), in less than five minutes.
All because we’re getting pretty good (at least sometimes!) at working through and resolving issues more quickly.
I love that Hubs has a pretty short attention span when it comes to arguments because he is ready to move on quickly. I’m like that, too, as long as I’m satisfied that the issue is resolved. However, the problem with this that we’ve had in the past is that he tends to “move on” before I feel we’ve reached any sort of conclusion. And then I tend to feel as though he’s abandoning the issue, or worse, abandoning me in my frustration, anger, or hurt feelings.
But now that we’ve had that same conversation a few times (that I need a better resolution to conflict) we’re getting better at figuring out what works for us.
Hubs is getting better at learning to communicate that he’s ready to be be done fighting in a way that’s less “I give up because I don’t care,” and more “I’m sorry we had a fight, but I want to move on now.”
And for my part? I’m learning to say things like, “I’m sorry I reacted like that when I know you didn’t intend to upset me,” instead of “How could you have said that? It was so hurtful!”
How great is that?
We’re growing!
In the meantime, I’m also growing around the middle. Probably all the leftover Christmas candy I’ve been eating.
Dang Santa! Why’d he have to bring such delicious chocolate?
And why’d I give into the growling in my belly while we were at the store and break down to buy chips and dip.
And why did I eat those AFTER we had dinner?
(P.S. Mom, the chips and dip wasn’t as good as they should have been. I couldn’t find the right dip! And we bought cheap chips…but never again…never again.)
Hiland dip. Nothing beats it. Also, I’ve found that cheap chips are okay as long as you get a kettle cooked chip, because the cheap regular chips always break when you dip them.
And yes, we just had a serious conversation about chips and dip. You’re welcome.
I don’t think our walmart sells Hiland! Oh no! But thanks for the chip tip!
Married life will do that to your midsection. I learned long ago that if your going to eat the calories you may as well get the good stuff so its at least worth it 🙂 As far as the conflict resolution I am happy for you guys. Thats is probably the hardest part of marriage, in particular when your approach to conflict is different than your partner. We still struggle with this after seven years. Sounds like you guys are on the right track.
Thanks! And I’m glad to know we aren’t alone in our struggles and attempts to overcome them! And I totally agree about the calories! If it’s worth eating, it’s worth eating right!
Thanks for the comment!
Yep, we know the best kind…however, if you want to eat less, buying a different kind would probably work well! Love mom
I couldn’t find the best kind! Walmart didn’t have it…You might have to send it the next time you visit!
I have to agree with Jillian. Hiland is the best. And I like any of the Kettle Chips with dip, they just don’t break like the regular ones (cheap or not). I am also glad Wyatt is learning how to resolve things better. He is a chip off the old block when it comes to that. And as you can see I was never able to get the “Block” to change his ways!
I don’t think our Walmart sells Hiland! What to do???
And yes, Wyatt is a fast learner. He knows how to make me happy!
Wow, thanks for sharing this! Communication and fighting have been big issues and learning opportunities for us as well. It not only helps the marriage but helps us grow as a people as well.
Marriage is so cool that way. 🙂
I know! I love that we have our whole lives to figure out how to be better at loving each other. Thanks for the comment!
My husband and I have had the same issues with conflict resolution. He is typically quicker to get over the arguement, while it takes me longer usually, and like you, I need to have some sort of a solution or something to make me over it. My husband and I have come a long way with this, but we still have some work to do.
I think we all still have some work to do because we can never be perfect at all this! Thanks for reading and for the comment!