Three generations at new home

No one said it would be easy.

Since Christmas, the newness is wearing off, and we are finding our different preferences again. Besides Andrea having to deal with the stress of being an at-home mom, with boredom and frustration being the most frequent enemy. It is not like I can't relate. I do recall the long days while the bread-winner was at work.

Learning how to use better adult-to-adult communication and applying good conflict resolution techniques is what I always thought was the deficit in my marriage and early parenting years. I did take parenting classes and read a lot of books to reflect on my own feelings & behavior. I wonder if that is something that is not the norm?
I wonder if I will be able to apply some of the pastoral care skills I learned? Active listening was something I heard in marriage counseling, but it never seemed to 'stick'. I wonder why. I guess it takes all/both sides being willing to practice and have the goal of strengthening the relationship.

LM