On February 19, 2009
from Woman’s World magazine.
- Have a routine. The happiest couples do things like eat dinner together and go to bed at the same time. Why do routines help your marriage? Because these small “married” gestures say that you never forget that you’re a team. In other words, when you wait for your spouse to get home from work so you can eat dinner together, you’re acknowledging that it’s not all about you and you’re taking your partner into consideration.
- Go ahead and fight. When University of Michigan researchers looked at a group of married couples over a 17-year period, they found that those who expressed their anger were happier, healthier, and even LIVED longer. However, you’ve got to do it the right way. That means no eye rolling and using “I” sentences – as in “I feel sad when it seems like you’re not listening” – instead of “you” sentences like “You never listen!”
- Share a pet. New studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo show that couples with a pet feel closer, bounce back faster after arguments, and report more satisfaction with their relationship than those without one. Why? Because the unconditional love pets give you rubs off, encouraging you to love each other more unconditionally. That’s the word from sociologist Dr. Terri Orbuch. Basically, when you see that Fido can love and accept your spouse for who they are – even if they leave their dirty socks on the floor – it encourages YOU to love and accept them for who they are, too.
And from our own experience! Pray together! The couple that prayers for one another and together will stay stronger and longer!
February 20th, 2009 at 12:20 am
I can’t believe no one made a post on this. I think marriage is so important. And with devorce rates being so high these days even amoung christian families, I think it is good to have tips every now and then to remind us of things we have forgotten. Thank you Susan for posting this. I really enjoy your posts. They are very informative and good. I like that the first tip is to have a routine. I feel really strongly about it although I don’t hear people recommending it much. My parents do it and I can see how much they benefit from it as well as how much our family as a whole benefits from routine time together. I am now putting that to practice in my relationship. The second point I thought was really interesting. I have never been one to hold back my thoughts and feelings. I find that it awlays makes me feel worse to hold it in, and I can stay bitter for a long time until I actually talk about it and let it all out. So I am all for this second tip. I like the remider about how to go about letting off steam. That is a constant struggle for me. It is something that has to be prcticed daily. I think it is a part of dieing to self. Well, in marriage it isn’t just about you. So you have to die to self. So good good stuff. And the pet thing? I can see that. My spouse and I want to share a pet one day. I think it will be a lot of fun. I can definitely see myself bouncing back faster with a pet as they kind of play the nuetral party. Also, my spouse and I, although we do not share a pet yet, we always feel closer just by talking about it. So yes, good GOOD tips here. I love it. Thanks again, Susan.
God Bless!!
February 20th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Wow this will be the first time I ever blog with a show and truly I just finished watching your video with cute little boy and the story of his animal and it just brought morning tears of joy to my eyes !!!!!!!(Susan) my husband as well had always waited for me to get off work so that we can eat dinner together and I never seen or notice that it was a away of showing me it’s not all about him.He actually even feeds the dogs everyday and I believe that you guys have sowed a seed in my heart .Seeing Kerri comments made me feel at one with yall. I always wanted to be connected in some way with others and GOD revealed to me to stick with you GUYS!!To start here and let yall know that marriage is important and it’s not about you ?It’s all about making the other half happy and just staying in relationship with GOD .I must admit that my husband has barely recieved JESUS CHRIST as LORD and savior and this has been like four years later !!!!What a fight and determination but threw the mist I stayed relying on GOD to see me threw.I had to truly grow up to find my position in CHRIST and not making my husband run just because I have this fire inside of me for the LORD that not even my husband can understand.GOD is GOOD, and it’s all about the gift that keeps on giving.It’s not good to hold everything in and the best thing to do is to always know that GOD is always in control and human will let you down.So it’s what’s in the heart and the change that makes you want to rise higher.I truly want to go give my chiwahwa more love now because he loves us .I guess I never truly felt the same since my other chiwahwa died and I could never bring her back again so now I have had a true connection with you guys.
Kerri I know how you feel !!!!!!!!!!!!GOD KNOWS WHAT WE WILL SAY AND DO BEFORE WE DO IT!!!!!!!!STAY BLESSED AND KEEP FIGHTING THE BIG FIGHT IN JESUS NAME BECAUSE IT IS FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS YALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 21st, 2009 at 8:21 pm
I have been married 27 years and raised 7 kids, here is my advice
You must agreed that it is OK to disagree and not get mad. We each have our own opinions.
Do not discuss difference of opinions on the childrens discipline infront of the kids, we always back each other up. discuss this after they are in bed
Hug your spouce every day , try to eat a meal every couple weeks without the kids. (we meet at our lunch hours)
Learn to enjoy the kids, it’s ok that they spill the milk,drop the plate. Play with the kids, do the unexpected, play hind in seek in the dark, play in the rain, sleep outside.
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:00 am
Good Morning,
I am looking for advertisement links on your website and stumbled across the morning show blog, you guys rock! (as one listener said) here is my contribution to marriage, the link below is for his need – her need
http://www.woodlandsccc.org/Audio/02_17_08_Ephesians_20.wma
However our pastor Doug Parsons has broke up the book of Ephesians into 27 sermons. The sermons are on line at http://www.woodlandsccc.org/Sermons,
BTW we are having Go Texan Day at our church this Sunday, March 1st chili cookoff.
Community Christian Church – Woodlands
10801 Falconwing Dr.
The Woodlands, Texas 77381