| It is a myth to think that happy marriages come | | | | her opinion. |
| naturally. The fact is that living "happily every after" is | | | | Have Respect for Each Other |
| not a journey paved with roses. Growing a happy | | | | As couples, you need to be acutely aware of each |
| marriage needs to be worked at, and here are four | | | | other's feelings about certain topics. For example, |
| practical steps to strengthen your marriage. | | | | some little jokes may seem harmless but might be |
| Be Optimistic | | | | really hurtful to your partner. Speak up immediately if |
| In today's hard pressed economy, it is typical for | | | | you find that the occasional joke about "She can't |
| couples to face many stressful situations, like financial | | | | cook an egg to save her life" is bothering you, and |
| issues or relationship issues with the in-laws. While it is | | | | request for the jibes to stop. Having respect each |
| easy to just nitpick and push the blame on your | | | | other's opinions and feelings goes a long way in |
| partner, realize that blame does not help solve the | | | | keeping unhappiness out of the relationship. |
| problem. | | | | Appreciate Each Others' Work |
| Instead, have an optimistic attitude in resolving stressful | | | | Tasks like sending the children to school or getting the |
| situations, work as a team, have trust in each other, | | | | dishes washed may easily be thought to be taken for |
| and believe that things will turn out well. | | | | granted. Do something special to show your |
| Communicate Effectively and Frankly | | | | appreciation for each others' work. It does not have to |
| Make it a point to really listen and provide honest | | | | be a special occasion for you to get a stalk of rose on |
| feedback, without pushing your point, or insisting on | | | | your way home, or to relieve his duties for a day by |
| doing things in particular manner. | | | | taking the day off and offering to help drive the kids to |
| One way to achieve this easily is to use consultative | | | | school. |
| communication methods. Instead of saying "We should | | | | Growing a strong relationship and happy marriage |
| do it this way", ask "Do you think it would be better if | | | | takes work, and it is easy to overlook the necessity |
| we did this?". When you ask questions like this, you | | | | do this work. However, with just a little faith and effort |
| automatically get feedback for your decision, and your | | | | from both parties, your journey together as a couple |
| partner will feel appreciated since you sought his or | | | | will be more wonderful than you can imagine. |