- Set up clear boundaries to protect your relationship from kids, in-laws, neighbors, and anyone else who may try to run interference.
- Your partner can’t love you any more than you love yourself. You teach people how to treat you by how you treat yourself.
- Strong relationships call for a strong balance between couple time and individual “me” time.
- Forgiveness means no longer bringing it up in an argument.
- A mutual commitment from both people is required to make it work. If one person is not fully invested, the relationship will lack trust, security, and emotional intimacy.
- Ignoring problems does not make them go away. They build up over time and explode when you least expect it.
- Calm down before confronting issues. If you really want him to listen, watch your timing, tone, and technique.
- Control is something that you do to yourself. Not others.
- Assertive communication is the best way for mature adults to talk. Aggressive and passive-aggressive communication will eventually destroy a relationship.
- Knowing your needs and being able to clearly communicate them is the first step in getting them met. Most people can’t read your mind.
- Your own dysfunction– not your spouse’s –creates your unhappiness.
- Your kids are second to the marriage. If you work on the marriage first, they’ll be fine.
- Unrealistic expectations lead to unhappy people. Expecting to get everything you want ALL of the time is like a child expecting to eat candy all the time.
- Friendship is the foundation of every relationship.
- Your husband is your partner; not your child.
- Your partner can’t make you happy. Happiness comes from within.
- Opposites attract. You and your partner will likely differ in personalities, love languages, communication styles, and emotional needs. But it’s OK.
- You don’t have to do anything to grow apart; but you do have to work really hard to grow together.
- Every problem is fixable if you are willing to negotiate, compromise, and apologize when necessary.
- Between jobs, kids, and extended family, sex may have to be scheduled. It doesn’t have to be spontaneous as long as it happens.
Attract and keep the relationships you deserve, God's way.
About Marcee
