At the beginning of a marriage, many couples take time out to celebrate the start of their lifetime journey by heading off on a traditional vacation called a honeymoon. It is a time for them to strengthen their relationship and establish a strong physical bond. The time is private, intimate, and purposefully special. Eventually, however, the honeymoon is over and they head … [Read more...]
Communication
Are You Prepared? These 4 Things Can Make or Break Your Marriage
My 13 year old son recently asked me a question that many of you are probably familiar with. It's the good old, "If you fill a glass half full of water, is the glass half full or half empty?" Naturally, I responded with the very wise, adult answer of, "well, it depends on your perspective." His response was, "No Mommy. It's completely full. It's half full of water and half full … [Read more...]
3 Communication Signals Your Spouse Sends When They Start to Check Out of Your Marriage
No one wants to believe, much less be told, they are in a bad marriage. I mean, the typical walk down the aisle has usually been vetted with life circumstances that prepared the bride and groom for this commitment of a lifetime. The experiences they have faced up to that point and the way they have handled them solidified their conviction that they could handle anything … [Read more...]
16 of the Best Marriage Communication Tips All in One Place
It goes without saying that one of the key components to a healthy and successful marriage is positive and effective communication. Without it, arguments run amok and the relationship heads south fast. Increasingly though, more than 50% of marriages today fall victim to poor communication and either end in divorce or are at the edge of the cliff, barely hanging on. It doesn't … [Read more...]
5 Crucial Communication Tips to Achieve Oneness in Your Marriage
I don’t know how many times this has happened. My husband will be talking with someone and suddenly find himself at a loss for words. He knows what he wants to say, but he’s not quite sure how to say it. Then, I will pipe in and finish the thought, phrase, or sentence for him. We look at each other, nodding in agreement that we’re both on the same page. Some who don't know us … [Read more...]
5 Signs Your Marriage Needs Help (And How to Get It)
Ever felt like something in your marriage was a little off? Maybe you and your partner just weren't connecting the way you should and you knew you both could do so much better. Well, the truth is, you can. The very first step toward doing better is recognizing something is wrong. When couples aren't on the same page it sometimes has a lot to do with … [Read more...]
5 Conversations You Can’t Avoid If You Want A Happy Marriage
In order for your marriage to stand the test of time, you have to be able to communicate your needs, frustrations, desires, and so much more. Without communication, your marriage inevitably suffers. Effective communication is the cornerstone of a happy marriage. But what some people fail to realize is that it’s not just a matter of communicating. Even if you talk to your … [Read more...]
5 Things Every Wife Needs Her Husband to Understand
If there is anything almost nine years of marriage has taught me, it’s that I can’t get my husband to read my mind. Yep, despite my best efforts, that brotha just can’t do it. Consider it a shortcoming if you must, but I realize that he’s just human. My husband is actually human. Shocking, right? After all, didn’t he get the memo that marrying me meant that he needed to … [Read more...]
Communication in Marriage: 4 Signs You and Your Spouse are Finally Maturing
Okay let’s be honest…if you’re with someone for any extended period an argument or two is inevitable. Sometimes the smallest things just turn into WWII for no reason. Emotions get high, things are said that shouldn’t be, and then a week later you’re still mad at each other. Let’s just say my wife and I had a little spat yesterday. But as I look back at it, I realized how far … [Read more...]
5 Reasons Nagging Wears Your Marriage and Your Spouse Completely Out
When couples decide to marry, there usually is an expectation and an overall plan to be happy. What they sometimes don't anticipate are those behaviors that show up and interfere with that plan. One of the major contributors to an unhappy marriage is nagging. Nagging is the persistent complaining, faultfinding and constant observation of what isn't working or what your … [Read more...]
A Dozen Great Ways to Keep Your Relationship Fresh
As I reflect on my relationship (which I have been in now for over 16 years, more than a 1/3 of my life), I am so grateful for the fact that it doesn’t feel that long. In fact, the longer we're in it, the better it gets. And as I take a step back to reflect, there are definitely some intentional things that we did that have kept us both happy, fulfilled, and feeling like the … [Read more...]
When Should a Married Couple Seek Help for Their Communication Problems?
Sex, money, and communication: We often hear about these as the “big three” behind marital conflicts and failures. Sex is the one we talk about most often, with problems in the bedroom and infidelity being at the center of most discussions about marital problems. Money is a distant, but growing, second. Financial infidelity is an increasingly important topic. Men and women are … [Read more...]
The One Thing You MUST Have If You Want Good Communication with Your Spouse… No Exceptions
There is one thing that needs to be present before you can even begin having or improving communication with your spouse - honesty. And not only do you have to be honest, but you also have to be honest often. Do just one or the other, or none at all, and you risk constructing your communication on shaky ground. Let me explain. Honesty is a must! Honesty is very bottom rung on … [Read more...]
The Very First Thing You Should Do When You Want to Improve Communication with Your Spouse
The one thing that people often overlook, when they are trying to improve communication with their spouse, is some critical but necessary self-reflection. You see, when you are lacking in communication skills with your spouse, often times, its because the communication patterns, that were useful at one point in your life, are now outdated and just don't flow well in your … [Read more...]
Don’t Stay Mad: How Couples Can Bounce Right Back After an Argument
One thing I've learned in my marriage is the importance of being able to bounce back after a disagreement. Getting back to happy with my hubby can be a bit of a struggle whenever I allow myself to dwell in the negative space of who was right and who was wrong. I can replay certain scenarios over and over again in my head just to find evidence of how my argument made the most … [Read more...]