- DO make sure your words and actions have a point; that they go toward an outcome you want to create. If your words, actions or thoughts aren’t directly connected to the result you want, think of them as irrelevant.
- DO realize “feelings” change and are unreliable for making decisions. Just because you have a feeling doesn’t mean everybody needs to know about it.
- DON’T value being independent in your marriage – value becoming ‘intra-dependent’. That means get very good at being part of a TEAM, which is a different skill set than only considering yourself.
- DO demonstrate the kind of relationship you want your children to have – they’re watching! You are the role models they will copy. Ask if you’d like their future spouse to treat them like you treat yours.
- DO ‘cleave from your family of origin’. Your extended family is secondary now. You can’t be a good, loyal spouse when you can’t give up being a good, loyal child.
- DON’T go to friends or your family for advice in your marriage – it is not enough that they support you. They need to support your marriage. And most don’t. “The No. 1 reason people fail in life is because they listen to their friends, family, and neighbors.” Napoleon Hill
- DON’T stop dating each other. Make ‘couple time’ a priority. Don’t allow distance to grow. By the way, dates don’t include negative talk about money, kids or problems…remember?
- DO take responsibility to control your anger, criticisms and judgmental attitudes. The Golden Rule is a good thing to keep in mind… treat others as you would want to be treated.
- DO require an ‘off-limits’ space between kids and parents. Kids shouldn’t have 100% access to parents space, possessions or attention. Children are not supposed to be equal to adults in rank, authority, power or control.
- DON’T keep dragging the past into your present. You can’t change the past, and everyone has mis-managed it. Focus only on what you want next, not what happened before.
Top 10 Marriage Tips
Top 10 Marriage Tips