Photo by Ed Yourdon / Flickr
Whether you have been married for five months or fifty years, you know that marriage is not all smiles and laughter. There are ups and downs that you have to face together and it is not always romantic. Most people have the misconception that marriage will just be like the romantic movies they see on television so it is nothing short of a rude surprise when they find out the truth. Even the happiest couples have to make an effort to make their marriage work. Otherwise, husband and wife just drift apart until they decide to separate. Do you want to end up like that? Probably not.
The good news is that there are different ways you can make your marriage stronger. Sure, there is no magic formula that can strengthen the bond between husband and wife, but there are steps that can be taken for doing so. It will take time, but you will see results and feel closer to your spouse. Here is how you can do it:
1. Converse and communicate
The inability of two married individuals to communicate can lead to the death of a relationship. Conversation is of the utmost importance. When asked, most couples would say that they do talk. Yes, you do, but do you communicate? Talking about the house or domestic things such as bills don’t count. Discussing your children is also not communication. You need to think of your spouse as your friend, which means you should be able to communicate with them about things that truly matter to you such as your dreams or desires etc.
2. Show affection to each other
It is very important for husband and wife both to express their emotions and feelings. So what if you have been married for a while? Most couples believe that just because they are together, the other knows exactly how they feel. Yes, they probably do, but every individual has insecurities and weaknesses and they may start doubting. You should put your feelings into words or express them with a kiss or a hug. Make small gestures like cooking his favorite dish or bringing flowers for her from work. These little things can go a long way in bringing you closer.
3. Make love
It is extremely important for couples to have an active sex life and not a scheduled one. Routine will make it boring and take away the excitement. Make sure you are fulfilling each other’s needs sexually or else this can lead to unhappiness and frustration. You can also try out new things in the bedroom to spice things up and build trust.
4. Solve your problems
If your significant other does something wrong, there is no need to make the matter worse by yelling or screaming at each other. There is no point in playing the blame game either. Again, communication can play a very important role here. You need to discuss how both of you feel and put your problems and issues forward. Try making a compromise or find a way to resolve the situation peacefully. Don’t hesitate in admitting a mistake; remember, you are doing it for your marriage. Your pride doesn’t count here because you are talking to your other half.
5. Never badmouth your spouse in front of the children
One of the biggest mistakes couples make is to badmouth each other in front of the children. This will only create a negative image of relationships in your child’s mind and you will also feel guilty later on. Even if you are angry at your partner for something, always say good things in front of your children.
6. Have meals together
Don’t let your relationship get into a rut. Just because you are married doesn’t mean that you let the spark between you die. Take out time to have meals together. Don’t just let them be family meals. Take some time for just the both of you alone. If you can, go out on a date just like old times. By looking at some family quotes website, you can remember a few good sayings which you can quote to your spouse on the dining table to add more magic to your time together. This will bring back the fun to your relationship and remind you of what you guys have together.
7. Take a break
It is easy for people to drift apart when they have been doing the same thing for long. It is essential for a husband and wife to take a break from life and be with each other. You need to be free of your worries and let the stress go. How can you do that? Go on a vacation and not a family vacation. Even for a weekend, drop off your kids at their grandparents and go for a trip somewhere. Rekindle the spark in a unique setting. It will definitely draw you closer as you will be comfortable with each other and have alone time without the weight of the world on your shoulders.