HOW TO STAY MARRIED

  • Commit for Life
  • Increase the positive, decrease the negative
  • Celebrate each other’s individuality
  • Honor the couple—“Team Smith”
  • Listen more
  • Listen for the heart behind the words
  • Talk to share, not dominate
  • Collaboration, not competition
  • Set aside a regular time each day for each other
  • Be open and honest
  • Develop a sense humor about yourself
  • Respect each other’s boundaries
  • Define and address problems together
  • Focus on the problem, not the person
  • Realize most stuff is not a big deal, it’s just not to your liking
  • Look for new options
  • Resolve conflicts and move on
  • Forgive daily
  • ABSOLUTELY NO abuse, adultery, abandonment, neglect
  • Addiction and substance abuse destroys relationships- stay away from it, or get help.
  • Nurture your spiritual life, together and separately
Copyright 2012- by  Debbie M. Hanson
cornercounseling@aol.com/ www.easternshorecounseling.com
Office Phone: 251-626-5797
About the author: Debbie Hanson met her true love in 1985. They have been married since 1988.