Communication is the bedrock of a relationship. Without communication, we can’t even say that a relationship exists. For a husband and wife to have a healthy relationship, there should be some giving and receiving, some sharing ideas and some planning as they build a home together. These things require communication.
There are many ways of communicating. We usually think of communication as conversation, using words to get ideas across. However, there are numerous other ways that we get messages across. Even a small baby communicates with its mother. When a baby cries, the mother knows it needs something, and she can often distinguish between a cry of hunger, a cry of pain, and a cry simply to get attention. When a baby coos or laughs, the mother recognizes that her child is happy. When the child recognizes its mother has entered the room it will begin sending signals to the mother.
The child also very quickly comes to recognize signals from its mother. Even before it begins understanding words, it can tell by the scowl on her face and the tone of her voice, even the way she handles the child, that the mother is annoyed When she has a smile on her face and a cheerful tone of voice, and she cuddles or touches the child gently, the child realizes that she is pleased.
Even adults use nonverbal signals to communicate; they are actually more powerful than the words spoken. When the look on her face and the tone of her voice don’t match the words, a husband understands his wife’s gestures and ignores her words. Even the way she stands communicates loudly.