How to Have and Improve a Great Marriage

Marriage

This article will give you tips and advice on how to have or improve a healthy marriage.

Step 1

TALK - talk to each other. discuss your day with your spouse. talk about common interests, goals, or any problems. make plans to do things together. most importantly, make a point of saying i love you.

Step 2

DATE NIGHT - make time for each other. set aside a night and send the kids to grandmas house for a sleep over once in a while or take advantage of the time you have while they are away at their friends house or with family. don't just waste your time together, make the most of it. plan a romantic night for just the two of you.

Step 3

DON'T ARGUE - i know everyone is going to argue at some time or another but when you do, don't let things go too far. walk away and take some time alone rather than continue arguing until one or both of you say or do something you can't take back. odds are, neither one of you are going to be able to see the other person's side while in the heat of an argument, so just take a break and come back and talk about it later when you've both cooled off and most importantly, try and see the other's point of view.

Step 4

BE THOUGHTFUL - we all know things that we do that gets under our spouse's skin, so be thoughtful about things and if there's something you do that you know bothers or bugs your spouse like leaving dirty clothes or dishes laying around, take the time to pick them up and put things where they go. it will save an argument and you both will appreciate it.

Step 5

DO SOMETHING NICE - take the time out of your day to do something nice for your spouse. wash their car for them, give them a shoulder rub, or foot massage, or cook a nice dinner for them. show them you care.

Step 6

BUY THEM SOMETHING - money won't buy you love, but surprise them once in a while with a nice gift, big or small. it could just be something they saw in passing and mentioned they would like to have one sometime. remember it and shake up their day with a nice surprise, showing them you listen and care.

Step 7

PITCH IN - now, i'm not just talking about picking up your dirty clothes once in a while. take some of the chore load around the house off your spouse. do the dishes, wash the clothes, or sweep the floors. odds are your spouse is just as tired as you are, so don't just lay all the household burden on them.

Step 8

HOBBIES - find something that you both enjoy doing and make time to do it. it could be something like fishing, camping, bowling, hiking, shopping, volunteering, going to yard sales/flea markets, exercising, golf, crafts, etc. explore your options and try different things until you find something you both like to do. give each others ideas a fair chance and don't just decide you don't like something before you try it. you might be surprised.

Step 9

BE SUPPORTIVE - if your spouse has a problem at work, be there to talk to them about it and listen to their concerns. if they have an idea or a goal, such as losing weight, starting a buisness, or starting a new job or career, be there for them. be their sounding board and don't just beat down their ideas and goals.

Step 10

TOUCH EACH OTHER - give your spouse a hug or a kiss. show them you care with a light touch on the shoulder, or give them a hug or kiss during the day out of the blue.

Step 11

BE FORGIVING - be forgiving towards your spouse. don't concentrate on their mistakes or flaws and don't throw their mistakes up to them all the time.

these are some great ways to have or improve a marriage. most of these are very easy to implement. all it takes is a little time and alot of love.

Comments (2)

roseanne09 said:

	... Communication and forgiveness are key to any great marriage. Excellent article.
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September 02, 2009
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paul said:

	... Since I am engaged now, I will have to remember all of these steps once I am married.
	report abuse vote down vote up

September 02, 2009
Votes: +0