The Osborn household is officially back to school and things are bananas over here. My kids are the big fish on campus as 6th graders and I already know this year is going to be A LOT. They’ll rotate classes in practice for middle school. They’ve got week-long 6th-grade camp coming up around the corner as well as a million little rites of passage all tied into their last year of elementary school. Not to mention the sports they play and countless other ways they keep me on my toes.

And I’m going to follow my own best advice and…

Keep it simple.

Whether it’s parenting, friendships, or your partnership, the more details and moving parts you add to the equation, the more stressful it all becomes.

But when you keep it simple, it all feels a bit more enjoyable.

Which simply means…

Don’t accept every invitation into a disagreement.
Choose your battles.
Pause before you speak.
Lead with appreciation.
Know when to take a break (or a nap).
Set realistic expectations.

And I could go on and on with this list, but the important reminder is…

When in doubt, keep it simple in love.

Don’t overcomplicate things by adding unspoken demands or unrealistic expectations to communication. Instead, say what you need to say. Be direct and kind. Be understanding and self-aware.

And keep it simple.

You got this,

-A

P.S. If communication has become so overwhelming and complex, now might be the time to enroll in the Communication Masterclass. Give your relationship the attention it deserves by taking the time to reset your communication. I know it will help the two of you immensely.