Conversation starters: Engage your wife
Dad’s,
Many of us have trouble starting conversations with people we love.
This got me thinking about what resources www.BetterDad.com would have on the subject and reminded me that conversation between husbands and wives, parents and kids, grandkids and grandparents can be hard I have been married 32 years; do we really have anything left to talk about? I sure hope so, but many nights I am at a loss to what to talk about. Same with my kids, particularly when they hit the age when the clam up and do not give anything but one word answers.
So in the spirit of providing resources here are some ideas for starting conversations:
Conversations to have with your wife:
35 Things you can talk about and try to agree on. If you have been married a long time these should be easy.
1. Does the toilet paper go over or under the roll?
2. Cats? Dogs? Both?
3. Can you eat breakfast for dinner?
4. Cold pizza: yes or no?
5. Is it acceptable to open present s as they arrive or do you have to wait for the actual birthday or holiday?
6. Should the dirty forks and knives go in the dishwasher with the handle sticking out of the utensil tray or down in the utensil tray?
7. Is it acceptable to leave dishes in the sink to “soak” overnight, or do they need to be cleaned before bed?
8. Toothpaste: cap on or cap off?
9. Again on the toothpaste: roll it from the bottom or just squeeze really hard?
10. Are towels a one-time use item or do you use the same towel until laundry day?
11. How about washcloths?
12. Road trip or flying?
13. What’s the right thread count for sheets?
14. What brand of toilet paper?
15. Mayo or Miracle Whip?
16. Pepsi or Coke?
17. Can you eat the holiday candy out in the display bowl or must it be left there for display?
18. What is YOUR definition of camping?
19. Turn the thermostat down when you go out or leave it alone?
20. At what point is a garbage bag too full to stuff more trash in it?
21. How many times is it acceptable to hit the snooze button?
22. Thrift store shopping: great deals or gross?
23. How far in advance is it OK to plan a vacation?
24. Restaurant reservations: necessary or too restrictive?
25. Roller coasters: love ’em or hate ’em?
26. More chocolate chips, less cookie or more cookie, less chips?
27. How much orange juice must be left in the container for it to be returned to the fridge?
28. Chip clips or just roll the bag up?
29. Call the doctor or just take some medicine at home?
30. Where is the prime location for the TV remote to stay?
31. Is it OK to have a TV in the bedroom?
32. Should folded clothes be put away, or is it OK to just pull as needed from the basket of clean laundry?
33. Do you need to write a grocery list or just wait until you’re walking around the store to figure out what you need?
34. Making the bed: must-do or waste of time because you’re just going to get back in it?
35. Is it OK to shave/clip toenails in the living room?
After years of marriage and raising kids you might look at each other and realize you do not really know each other anymore. Consider working through the following list of questions, possibly one each day for 60 days. See how well each of you does. If you need to be competitive use the numbers after each question to keep score.