Talk Grown-Up to Me
By Lisa Lakey
You know you’re in desperate need of adult conversation when you ask if your husband needs to go potty. But if you have kids, you’ve probably been there.
When I was a stay-at-home mom, I was immersed in toddler conversation 12 hours a day. We sang the ABCs and discussed whether the guinea pig on my daughter’s favorite show was a boy or a girl. We counted the number of beads aloud to make necklaces and read Bible stories before naps.
When my husband got home, I couldn’t wait to speak to a grown-up.
But instead of national news or even what was going on with each other, I talked about the guinea pig and necklaces. The art of adult conversation was lost on me.
Whether you have kids or not, you might relate. Years past the stay-at-home mom days now, I often come home after work completely out of words. I write words, edit words, and sit in meetings talking about words. By the end of the day, simple adult conversation can be hard.
But can I offer us all one word of advice? Persevere.
Adult convo doesn’t have to be an art form to be a vital part of your marriage. It’s the connection, not just the words that matter. What I didn’t realize while parenting toddlers was my husband didn’t care what I talked about. He just wanted a glimpse into our day that he didn’t always get to be a part of. And I feel the same way when he talks to me about his job (even if I only understand about 20%).
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you talk theology, stock markets, or intricate details of your preschooler’s macaroni art. What matters is you, your spouse, and connecting.
Need more on staying connected? Listen in on how to avoid becoming roommates in marriage.
The Good Stuff: Love one another earnestly from a pure heart. (1 Peter 1:22)
Action Points: Schedule some time this week for some good ol’ conversation with your spouse. Pencil it into your calendar if need be. Then turn the phone on silent, tuck the kids in bed, and just talk.
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