I am enjoying a beautiful vacation with my husband and family. I appreciate having the opportunity to travel and time to relax and explore the world.

However I am sometimes sidetracked from being fully present by the way my husband communicates with me. He can be impatient, critical and dismissive. He can be so wrapped up in his own stuff that I don’t feel that he is seeing me, being present with me, appreciative of me. This is really not just an issue related to time on this trip but always.

How can I ask for more attention without sounding like I am complaining- he organized this beautiful trip and part of his energy is into making sure it is perfect for our family members. How can I respond when he says something critical without sounding defensive, wounded.

I would like to shift our communication to more playful affectionate and balanced.