ComputerHunter.org

 

Marriage Counseling Tips: 7 Ways to Handle Conflict in Marriage


How do you handle arguments that lead to heated exchanges with your spouse? Do you value being right over preserving the quality of your relationship? And how long do you stay angry after you've had a fight?

How you answer these questions offers a clue into how secure your marriage is. Unfortunately, too many married couples let unbridled confrontations tear the fabric of their relationship.

Every couple has misunderstandings, miscommunication, and disagreements. It's human nature to see things from your own viewpoint. And it's easy to forget that your spouse's viewpoint is just as valid as yours.

Here are some tips when preparing for talks about emotional issues with your partner:

1. Take time to center yourself emotionally by sitting quietly for a few minutes. You might take deep belly breaths and count your out-breaths to keep yourself focused in the present moment, or you might meditate or pray during this time.

2. Notice any negative "chatter" in your mind and replace it with a positive statement, such as "Each time I really focus on listening intently to my spouse instead of jumping in to criticize, I'm improving our working relationship." Or "I know that we can resolve this problem about how to handle our difficulties."

3. Expect to be able to get along, talk respectfully and courteously to each other, and find creative solutions to problems. You influence what happens in interactions with others by your expectations about what you think will happen. In other words, you often get what you expect.

4. Suspend judgment and criticism so that you're prepared to really hear your spouse. Resolve to listen deeply so that you can understand the fears and concerns that are layered beneath her (or his) surface words. When you can identify and understand her deeper concerns, you're more likely to find an acceptable solution.

5. Make sure that you speak to your spouse with words that are respectful. Avoid profanity and refrain from personal attacks on your spouse. It's quite different to say "I really don't understand what you're saying. Can you please explain?" instead of "This sounds like another one of your idiotic ideas."

6. Be willing to look at your own position and admit it whenever you are wrong. This takes humility and critical self evaluation. But it will buy goodwill with your spouse. And it could set an example that he (or she) may decide to emulate.

7. Don't carry around resentment after an argument. Try to respectfully express your feelings and then let them go. Then try to reestablish closeness as soon as possible. Make an effort to make up by focusing on what you do agree on, and on what you like about your spouse.

Lee Hefner is the co-author of Keep Your Marriage: What to Do When Your Spouse Says "I don't love you anymore!" This e-book is available at http://www.KeepYourMarriage.com. You can also sign up for the free Keep Your Marriage Internet Magazine to get weekly ideas and support to help you save your marriage.







Google News - Top Stories

CTV.ca

Hurricane, at Category 4, Heads Toward Cuba
New York Times - 2 hours ago
By MARIA NEWMAN Hurricane Ike grew into a bigger threat to Florida and the Gulf Coast Sunday as it roared through the Bahamas mid-morning, with forecasters expecting it to gain in strength as it approaches Cuba.
Video: Raw Video: Ike Pounds Turks and Caicos AssociatedPress
Category 4 Hurricane Ike hits Turks and Caicos islands hard Los Angeles Times
AFP - KFMB - FOXNews - Charleston Gazette
all 3,779 news articles


Wall Street Journal

Fannie, Freddie: The biggest losers
CNNMoney.com - 1 hour ago
By Colin Barr, senior writer NEW YORK (Fortune) -- Big investors in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac face a brutal Monday. Shares in the mortgage giants, which have already lost 90% of their value over the past year, are likely to plunge anew in the wake of ...
Video: Feds Take Over Mortgage Giants AssociatedPress
US government seizes control of mortgage giants The Associated Press
New York Times - MarketWatch - Los Angeles Times - Forbes
all 3,519 news articles


Washington Post

Palin will meet media in a "few days": McCain
Reuters - 2 hours ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who has not faced the US media since her surprise pick to run for vice president 10 days ago, will begin giving interviews in a "few days," Republican presidential nominee John McCain said in remarks ...
Candidates claim to be agents of change CNN
google news commentComment by John S. Baick Professor of History, Western New England College
Los Angeles Times - Newsday - CBS News - Chicago Tribune
all 5,118 news articles


Christian Science Monitor

India a step closer to nuclear trade
Christian Science Monitor - 2 hours ago
The Nuclear Suppliers Group agreed Saturday to lift a 34-year ban on selling nuclear technology to India, even though it hasn't signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
McCain twits Obama over nuke deal Times of India
India given go-ahead on nuclear trade despite proliferation Times Online
United Press International - The Associated Press - Reuters South Africa - Economic Times
all 2,287 news articles


Welt Online

Suicide blast kills 35 in Pakistan; Zardari set to take power
International Herald Tribune - 6 hours ago
AP, The New York Times PESHAWAR, Pakistan: The death toll in a devastating suicide blast has reached 35, officials said Sunday, as Pakistan prepared for Benazir Bhutto's widower to take over as president.
Pakistan's Zardari prepares for presidency AFP
Pakistan's Zardari urged to change image and focus Reuters
Los Angeles Times - NDTV.com - New York Times - Reuters India
all 3,867 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base