How to Put the Sizzle Back in Your Marriage - Part 3

Taken from www.associatedcontent.com

Keep your promises and agreements. When you say you're going to do something, make every effort to do it. Broken promises and agreements only lead to broken marriages. I once worked with a couple in which the husband couldn't keep his promises. For example, he kept promising to take his wife out to dinner and a movie, but each time he had a different, seemingly valid excuse. Over time the wife stopped believing him and lost faith in his commitment to the marriage. When promises are continuously broken, feelings of mistrust inevitably develop.

Be honest with one another. Honesty should have started the day you met. Marriages can't succeed if partners aren't honest with each other. No matter how bad the situation, it's always better to be up front with your mate. Otherwise your loved one may feel angry, depressed, frustrated, and disappointed. Dishonesty leads to an increase in arguments and mutual disrespect. "Are you saying I need to be honest with my partner about everything?" you may ask. The answer is yes. Some people are afraid they'll lose their independence if they tell their spouse where they're going and what they're doing. Maybe they lied to their parents when they were a teenager, and now they're treating their spouse the same way. Such people aren't ready to be in a marital relationship. They just want to do as they please without considering another person's feelings and needs. Being married doesn't mean giving up who you are, simply sharing who you are with another person.

Telling the truth isn't the same as being demeaning, however. Say your spouse asks, "Do you think I look fat?" Since weight is such a sensitive issue for most women, you might want to pause a moment and muster a little tact before you answer, especially if you do think she looks fat and you really wish she'd lose weight. Perhaps you can try a more neutral response, such as "You look fine, honey." You haven't lied, exactly, but you've deflected the question. Or, if your spouse asks if you like the outfit she's wearing and you don't, you might say, "You know, I like the other one better," rather than, "I think it looks terrible on you." In short, be sure to temper your honesty with kindness!

Click HERE for Part 4.