2017 is right around the corner and I have a couple of
resolutions for you to consider adding to your list for
a better marriage this year:
1) Please, no more immature, inflammatory debates.
If 2016 was anything it was
a year of hot-headed,
mean-spirited debates (at least in the United States).
Just because we disagree about stuff doesn't mean we
have to go nuclear on each other!
It’s a new year. And YOU get to change the conversation.
If you know that certain topics will trigger arguments, why go
there?
(Unless it’s a serious issue you need to work through
to improve your marriage, in which case consider engaging
the services of a qualified therapist.)
In a world that’s becoming more brazen, raw, and hostile,
choose a higher standard for your marriage by
not allowing
our culture's lack of kindness to influence you.
2) Please, stop talking about nothing.
We talk a lot about nothing with our spouse.
Why? because it’s safe.
In many homes across the country, typical dinner time
conversations go something like this: “How’s your pizza?”,
“Remember to take your pills”, “What’s on TV tonight?”,
“What’s the weather supposed to be like tomorrow?”
Ugh!!!
Consider making it a new rule in your marriage that you will
intentionally
talk about something at least a few times a week!
Ask real questions – questions that matter.
Ask your partner about
what’s going on at work.
Ask your kids about what’s happening at school. Ask
about their friends, too because you NEED to know
what’s going on in that area of their lives.
Ask each other about your hopes, dreams or fears for the
New Year - and how you can support each other.
Take an active interest in each other’s lives.
Enjoy meaningful conversation.
If you want a happier, closer marriage and family or
relationship in 2017, resolve to practice these two n
ew relationship rules:
1) Resolve to no longer have childish, inflammatory debates
and,
2) Stop talking about nothing; start talking about something.
Until next time, this is Mike Tucker and the Mad about
Marriage team and we want you to be mad about marriage!
