Do You Really Need Your Spouse?

"Most of us have difficulty admitting need. It means we are dependent upon another. It means we are less than complete by ourselves. We may even feel that our spouse is burdened enough already—We reason inwardly, Why should I weigh down my spouse further with my needs?".....

https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/marriage/staying-married/communication/do-you-really-need-your-spouse/

Spiritual Intimacy in Marriage

"If you are one of the many husbands and wives who crave deeper spiritual intimacy with your spouse, but aren’t sure where to start or what actions to take, let me suggest some tips for you in this area".....

https://homeword.com/jims-blog/tips-for-refreshing-spiritual-intimacy-in-your-marriage/#.XjG4bGhKiUk

How to Avoid the "Pursuer-Distancer" Pattern

Jane: “Why do you do that?”
John: “Do what?”
Jane: “You ignore me.”
John: “No, I don’t.”
Jane: “We need to talk about this. You’re doing it now.”
John: “I don’t see the problem. You’re overreacting.”
Jane: “No, I’m not!”
John: “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

Jane is pursuing. John is distancing.

https://www.gottman.com/blog/how-to-avoid-the-pursuer-distancer-pattern-in-your-relationship/

6 Signs He or She Isn't Marriage Material

"Somebody could be beautiful, funny, a pleasure to be around, and even be active in their church but still not be good marriage material. A few relational 'infections' can all but erase many good qualities".....

https://homeword.com/jims-blog/6-signs-he-or-she-isnt-marriage-material/#.Xim16WhKiUk

Connecting During the Busy Parenting Years

"For most couples, it’s a slow fade from connect to disconnect in marriage. I think this is especially true for parents. The long nights, the demands of parenting, conflicting work schedules, too many commitments, or even the struggles of blending a stepfamily … it all adds up over time".....

https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/marriage/marriage-challenges/busyness-and-stress-challenges/connecting-with-your-spouse-through-the-busy-parenting-years/

Breaking the Silence in Your Marriage

"Constant conflict, chronic disrespect, and serious betrayals get a lot of air time when we’re talking about bad relationships. It’s easy to understand that relationships fail when conflict is unrelenting. However, after working with couples for 15 years, it has become crystal clear that those couples have a leg up on other couples that are struggling. At least they’re talking, even if they’re arguing".....

https://www.gottman.com/blog/break-silence-marriage/

How about a creative date this month?

"Working on friendship and fun in your relationship can be done with just a bit of intentional focus, and the good news is that everyone can do it. Who doesn’t want more fun and friendship in your life".....

https://homeword.com/jims-blog/how-about-a-creative-date-this-month/#.XiYda8hKiUk

4 Tips for Constructive Conflict Resolution

"Today, we want to share a quick overview of these core rules to give you a starting point for resolving conflict in your marriage".....

https://www.symbis.com/blog/4-tips-for-constructively-resolving-conflict-with-your-spouse/

When My Wife Told Me She Didn't Love Me

"My wife of 10 years told me she didn’t love me anymore. She had little hope that her feelings could be rekindled. Fear and regret gripped my heart. It choked out all hope that my marriage would survive".....

https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/marriage/marriage-challenges/when-my-wife-told-me-she-didnt-love-me-anymore/

Manage Conflict: Repair and De-escalate

"Though we all naturally attempt to repair our interactions with our partners when the conversation careens off the tracks and into negative territory, our attempts to de-escalate these conversations often fail without us knowing why".....

https://www.gottman.com/blog/manage-conflict-repair-and-de-escalate/

5 Reasons You Shouldn't Wait to Resolve Conflict

"The problem is, avoiding hard discussions and conflict resolution with your spouse actually makes problems worse and harder to overcome. Let’s take a look at five reasons why you shouldn’t wait to resolve a conflict with your spouse"....

https://www.symbis.com/blog/5-reasons-you-shouldnt-wait-to-resolve-a-conflict-with-your-spouse/

The Power of Your Words

"Each day, you and your spouse decide how you will talk to each other. Will you build each other up with your words, or tear each other down? How will you speak to each other in public, and in private? What words will you use as you work through conflict?".....

https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/marriage/staying-married/communication/the-power-of-words/

Help...is my spouse manipulating me?

"Manipulation, by definition, can be a pretty crazy mind game. ('Wait. What just happened? Is my spouse manipulating me?') It can leave you feeling guilty, angry, confused, insecure. You might feel like you just got played. It can be subtle: 'Does this dress make me look fat?' Or not".....

https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/marriage/marriage-challenges/help-is-my-spouse-manipulating-me/

12 Things that Can Cause Marriage Failure

"Of course you don’t want your marriage to fail, do you? You want it to last for life. But if too many of the things listed below are too often a part of your life, then you may be on a dangerous road in your relationship".....

http://www.markmerrill.com/12-things-that-can-cause-marriage-failure/

A Key to Success in Marriage: Create Shared Meaning

"A successful marriage is about more than raising kids, paying bills, and getting chores done. It is also about building a meaningful relationship that has a spiritual dimension and is rich in rituals of connection".....

https://www.gottman.com/blog/enriching-marriage-creating-shared-meaning/