Ten Weeks to a Better Marriage Relationship

Part 1: Expectations
Part 2: Fighting Fairly
Part 3: Work on Your Listening Skills
Part 4: Financial Concerns
Part 5: Conflicting Chores
Part 6: Marriage Sexuality
Part 7: Cinema Therapy
Part 8: Get to Know One Another Better
Part 9: Celebrate Your Coupleness
Part 10: Take the Dialogue Challenge

Ten Weeks to a Better Marriage Relationship: Part 1

Marriage relationships need fine tuning from time to time. Even couples in great marriages can find themselves taking one another for granted or feeling in a bit of a rut. Over the next ten weeks, this series of articles will lead the two of you through steps that could enhance your marital relationship.

Talk About Your Expectations

Unrealistic Expectations Have to be Faced
Everyone has expectations. However, unrealistic expectations will end up being direct paths to disappointment and unhappiness in your marriage. These include having false expectations, believing in the myths about marriage, thinking that someone else can make you happy, trying to read one another's mind, wanting to do everything together, and wanting to have a perfect marriage. When these are not identified or verbalized, they can create great barriers in your marriage. Hopefully, your expectations will include being able to lovingly resolve conflicts, to appreciate your differences as individuals, to respect and cherish one another, and to be able to discuss values and priorities.

Marital Myths
Many myths that surround marriage give couples unrealistic expectations. Disappointment is sure to come if you are looking for the Cinderella-like happily-ever-after storybook marriage year after year.

Ten Weeks to a Better Marriage Relationship: Part 2

The way a married couple fights can often tell psychologists more than what they fight about. If done correctly, conflict and healthy, fair fighting, can strengthen your marriage.

Learn How to Fight Fairly

How to Fight Fairly in Your Marriage
Bottom line: Be respectful, don't bring up old issues, stay on the subject, keep the argument between the two of you, and remember that your relationship will lose if you are fighting just to win or to make your own point.

Conflict and Anger in Marriage
Every marriage relationship will have marital conflict and hostility during difficult times. Learning how to handle these problems, knowing when to seek a therapist's help and being able to forgive are some of the keys to making matrimony successful.

Coping with Stress in Your Marriage
The impact of stress and burnout on a marriage can be devastating. If any of these symptoms are starting to creep into your marriage, it's time to step back and re-evaluate your life style and commitment to one another.