Instant messaging is totally different to a face to face chat or phone calls.
Make sure you save your chats one for
1 Evidence for any applications.
2 For memories.
3 Review the conversations.
Do you reply instantly or near enough? You may be rushing around the house sorting things out for the next day but if the person you are speaking to is just sitting to you waiting for a reply its not a smooth conversation and will wind you up.
Are your mesages clear do you use
Are you aware of LOL, Lmao, BRB and other examples?
like texts messages its hard to tell the tone in text chats.
Dont think of instant messaging like writing a letter, an email or even a telephone conversation.
If this chats are limited then im sure you are aware you need to spend maxium time and effort on them to get the maxium result.
Make sure you are relaxed and got any important tasks out of the way its so easy to let your mind wander if things are bugging you.
You say you both are having problems with instant messaging?
Are they just with the chat or are there technical problems? Can we help?