And how to communicate with your partner when you disagree. 

In relationship, it can be a real challenge to stay on the same team during Coronavirus times. When your partner has a different understanding of how to observe safety precautions than you do, and you both have strong feelings about the matter, you can quickly become adversaries instead of allies. You become two teams of one, instead of one team of the two of you. Here are some ideas for how you stay on the same team (these are great relationship tools in ALL times). #1 Give your partner the benefit of the doubt. No matter how outrageous your partner’s ideas seem to you, we guarantee you he or she is trying to accomplish something positive. Just like you are. In marriage or committed relationship, we operate on the foundation that your needs are as important as mine; not more, but also not less. So in order for me to be happy, I have to not only get my way, but also ensure you get what you want. Otherwise I might get what I want, but I have an unhappy partner. #2 Expand to include This is a central notion in the LoveWorks Solution. I expand my understanding and mindset to be big enough to include yours. In disagreements, we often think only one of us is right, can be right, but in truth, it’s possible that we’re both right. Expand to include the idea that your partner has a good idea, as do you. It’s about being a big enough person to hold more than one viewpoint without getting combative. #3 Speak in "We" Any argument is pretty much a series of “me vs you” statements. “I want this but you want that”; “I think this but you think that”. That vast majority of times, there’s a lot more overlap to our desires than meets the eye; you just have to be able to see it. Begin to speak more as “We”, instead of only “me or you”. When you “expand to include” more than one viewpoint, you can include each others’ desires and needs into “We” … a powerful way to get yourself on the same team. #4 Give first, give fast When relationships break down, in pretty much any form, one or both partners have stoped giving. In the early phase of your relationship, when you were still madly in love, remember how much attention, praise, time, touch, love, hugs, and sex you gave each other? Now think about a stressful time in your relationship - perhaps now? - and see if you are giving less? Probably so. One of the most effective ways to restore love, and to get back to being a team, is to pick up giving. We say whoever gives first, wins. Give first, give fast. Don’t wait for the other person to start. #5 Explore how to create a win-win In order to find solutions that work for both of you, you need to slow down the process. If you just plow ahead with your practiced behaviors and patterns, you’ll like just repeat whatever you’ve done in the past. We are firm believers in your ability to come up with win-win solutions. The four tips above are part of the foundation for successful “trouble shooting” and resolution. If you want to improve your ability to get on the same page, here’s a great opportunity to practice: We created a 90-min mini-workshop for couples to deal with stress and disagreements, How To Be More Understanding During Disagreements. In this workshop-from-your-couch, we are going to help you: * Find understanding * Relieve tension and stress * Discover common ground between each other * Get on the same page * Learn techniques to de-escalate during conflict * Get back to connection Register here: https://loveworksforyou.com/how-to-be-more-understanding-during-disagreements About LoveWorks: The LoveWorks Solution is a practical and positive approach to marriage, relationship, intimacy, communication, and dating. LoveWorks offers private coaching and relationship counseling to couples and singles, from anywhere in the world; as well as online and live workshops for couples and singles. The LoveWorks Solution has saved marriages and helped singles find love, plus helped thousands of couples and singles deal with complex problems that arise in relationships, such as communication breakdowns, trust in relationships, insecurities in relationship, toxic relationship, emotionally unavailable men or women, deepening intimacy, finding the right partner, dating, and many, many more. LoveWorks is founded by Sonika Tinker, MSW & Christian Pedersen, CLC, who have 35+ years of combined experience coaching and educating about relationships. They designed The LoveWorks Solution to be practical, applicable, fun and light-hearted, demonstrating that deep relationship work can be done in a positive way while having a good time. * Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loveworkssolution * Get the free E-book, How To Save My Marriage (and many more free resources for your relationship), here: https://loveworksforyou.com/