Why do my boyfriend and I have such trouble communicating?
We’ve been together almost three years. We argue and he ends it by telling me he doesn’t love me. It's hurtful because I am all about resolving the problem, and he dwells on the issue even if I drop what he's done and just swallow my pride and say I am sorry. How can this be resolved? We have kids, and I don't want a broken family because we can't communicate.
Under duress the very youngest parts of you and your boyfriend emerge. So, while you still look like grown ups, your actions and words are motivated by very early preverbal parts of both of you. In simple terms it is as if two infants somehow acquire the ability to say words but they are motivated by very basic early wounds that were created due to deficits in what was able to be done for each of you, and likely understandable in terms of caregiver's life experience, and that still fell short of what you needed. You are both still trying to get very early needs met.
The best advice I can offer is to try and remember this as early as possible when things start to heat up, and then restrain expression that you already know leads nowhere helpful. And seek out a therapist who can help you to work with these early issues and can support you to grow and develop from this stuck point.
Avraham Cohen, Ph.D, R.C.C., C.C.C.
- Upvote
- 579 views
- Upvote
- 396 views
Try having a conversation with your boyfriend about your views and wishes for the relationship, when the two of you are having a calm time.
A few questions I'd like to ask him is why he says he doesn't love you when the topic at hand is about a specific practical matter.
I'd also like to know what he hopes will happen from dwelling on a matter.
And, why are you swallowing your pride? Sooner or later this will come up on you in much bigger ways. Instead, try to know your own wishes that you are either not stating or are being ignored by your boyfriend.
The best way to resolve accumulated tensions is to slowly open the discussion between the two people.
It is possible to stay together forever. What you each need to realize, is the terms under which this would most likely take place.
Sending lots of luck!
- Upvote
- 325 views
You can't fix this by yourself, but I applaud you for trying. One person working hard in a relationship can make things better for a while., but in the long haul you need two people giving some effort. I'm reading between your lines here and I wonder if your need to keep the family together is getting you to apologize when you've done nothing wrong and ignore things you've felt hurt by. I sense that you're doing all the work...that it's not balanced.
I have worked with many couples and I've learned never to underestimate what kind of change is possible; anything is possible. But in order for change in a couple to occur, you need two people who are both willing to own their choices and behaviours, and who have empathy. Your boyfriend doesn't appear to have these components; he pushes you away and blames you when he's done something hurtful.
Can you be honest with yourself about what's happening? I encourage you to sit down with a trusted friend or therapist and look at what you have here and what your options are. I wish you well.
- Upvote
- 181 views
Submit your own question
More Answers
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Parenting
- Self-esteem
- Relationship Dissolution
- Workplace Relationships
- Spirituality
- Trauma
- Domestic Violence
- Anger Management
- Sleep Improvement
- Intimacy
- Grief and Loss
- Substance Abuse
- Family Conflict
- Marriage
- Eating Disorders
- Relationships
- LGBTQ
- Behavioral Change
- Addiction
- Legal & Regulatory
- Professional Ethics
- Career Counseling
- Stress
- Human Sexuality
- Social Relationships
- Children & Adolescents
- Alzheimer's
- Military Issues
- Self-harm
- Diagnosis
- Counseling Fundamentals