In my last marriage blog, I talked about bad habits we should break. Today we are going to consider some good habits to develop.
The first is encouragement. It seems the longer a couple is married, the less often this happens.
In most cases it’s probably a result of just living life and not really thinking about the importance of offering encouragement. We are busy working, taking care of the family, running a household, and taking on many other responsibilities.
But taking time each and everyday to encourage your spouse is a good habit to develop. It can be something as simple as, “You do a great job providing for the family” or “I love the way you take time to read to the kids.”
Another good habit to develop in a marriage is support. Don’t assume your spouse knows they are supported. Verbalize it.
This is especially important when your spouse is going through a difficulty or a transition. Your partner will feel much more secure knowing you have their back.
Negotiating is a good habit to develop. Fights and arguments can escalate and get out of control. But if you learn to negotiate, you can eliminate the majority of these.
Granted, this takes some selflessness and compromise, because it could mean giving up your “rights” or what you want. Or it might mean learning how to meet in the middle. Whatever it takes, do what is necessary to keep the peace.
Finally, develop the good habit of affection. Don’t let a day go by without giving your spouse a hug, a kiss, a pat on the back or another physical form of affection. Touch can mean a lot and turn a bad mood around.
It’s also a wonderful way to acknowledge your spouse. Love should grow stronger everyday. These are some good habits that can help stoke the fires, if the embers in your marriage are burning low.