New Year's Resolutions for Strengthening Your Marriage - Part 2
By Dr. Michelle Gannon
This is the time of year when many of us make New Year's resolutions. Couples that invest in their marriages have more satisfying, pleasurable interactions with each other because great marriages do not just happen. It's time we all make some New Year's resolutions together and focus on our relationships.
Step one is to sit down with your spouse, grab a pen and paper, a glass of wine or cup of tea-this exercise is supposed to be relaxed and enjoyable-and brainstorm together some New Year's resolutions for your marriage.
2. Remove the barriers. What gets in the way of marital satisfaction?
How do you handle conflict?
Remember that conflict is inevitable in a marriage. Do not avoid conflict, but find productive ways to deal with differences. Are either of you guilty of using criticism, contempt, stonewalling or defensiveness? If so, how about a New Year's resolution to eliminate these hostile interactions that are predictive of divorce?
Is work or technology interfering with prioritizing time together? If either of you has a hard time with the work/life balance or relies too heavily on technology, social media, TV or video games, you might take a look at this issue together. How about setting some mutual agreements? Amazingly, 70 percent of families are now reporting using phones, computers or watching TV during meal times together. How about a resolution to have technology-free meals and technology-free evenings during your weeknights?
Do either of you feel taken for granted or unappreciated? Do you know how your spouse prefers to be loved? Make a New Year's resolution to show your spouse love in the way they want to be loved, rather than role model what you want! |