How to Have the Talk

Before you utter "Honey, we have to...," crib our convo notes. You can charm the pants off anyone with your finely honed sugar lips and defuse most potentially deadly showdowns with your razor-sharp wit. Still, somehow, when it comes time to initiate the relationship conversation, none of that makes a damn difference. You're left tongue-tied and nerve-racked. That's because that couple-status report inevitably puts you in the cliched nagging-woman-pointing-at-her-stopwatch position -- and him on the utmost defensive. Someone is bound to get freaked out, hurt or misled. Which is why we're here to help. Because the check-in is a necessary milestone in any growing relationship, you'll have to face the music at some point. We've come up with a plan for making the commitment conversation a lot easier on both of you -- and it's actually effective.