Communication matters

No matter how well you and your partner know and love each other, you won’t experience this journey in exactly the same way. She’s the only one who’s pregnant, after all! What’s the best way to stay connected? Talk about it.

Make time to talk

It doesn’t take a lot of time to connect. Set aside a few minutes every day to discuss:

How you feel about having a child.

Fun things like baby names, nursery ideas, and how cute your little one will be.

What you’re excited for and what you’re worried about.

Ideas about parenting and how you’ll raise your child together.

Choose words that work

How you and your partner talk makes a difference. It can be hard at times, but you can learn to communicate in ways that make you both feel heard and supported.

Nothing is black and white. Avoid saying “always” and “never.”

Use “I” statements rather than “you” statements.

Say you’re sorry when you need to.

Be specific about your needs and expectations.

Master 3 healthy listening skills

To be a good communicator, you have to be a good listener. Here are a few techniques to practice:

Ask questions.

Repeat what your partner says in your own words, so she knows you heard her.

Listen between the lines — you don’t have to be a mind reader to read facial expressions and gestures.

Communication matters in all of your relationships — with your partner, your coworkers, and, someday, with your child. It takes work, but it’s worth working on. It’s all part of the journey.