Don’t assume you always understand each other. Ask instead.

Anyone that currently has or has ever had a tween/teen, knows that they speak a whole different language. Like an actual different language. If I have to hear ‘womp womp’ or ‘sigma’ one more time, I think my mind might explode.

And because I’m clearly the most embarrassing parent in the world, when I hear my kids or their friends use terms that make no sense to me, I either google it or even worse… I ask my kids what they mean. Terrible, I know.

But the truth is, I want to understand my kids. I want to know what the heck it is they’re trying to communicate. And even though my husband, thankfully, doesn’t speak in the same Gen Z dialect as my kids, I want to understand him too.

Which means I have to slow down and really listen. I need to ask for more information when I don’t understand. And instead of assuming I know, I need to really ask.

It’s not easy taking the time to really understand each other, but the alternative of misassumptions and lost opportunities for connection is too great to miss.

When you don’t know, speak up. When you don’t understand, ask. When you are struggling to keep up with the pace of communication, take a breath and slow down. Believe me, your relationship will thank you for the pause to gain greater clarification, even if it comes with a temporary sigh of frustration.  

Because I know for me, when someone slows down to ask and really wants to understand, it shows me that they care enough to want to know more.

You got this.

-A

P.S. If you feel like you’re struggling to decode your partner’s language, now might be the right time for some extra support.  Please reach out if I can help.