Married Couples

After marriage, we became a team. Being a team means working together to make decisions, save money, spend money, cook, clean and do the laundry — the less than glamorous parts of marriage that we sometimes don't think about before we say "I Do." Being part of a team also means making sacrifices — sacrificing what "I" want for something that will make my spouse happy. Are you willing to give up the remote for an evening? Now, that's sacrifice!

Do we understand our differences as husband and wife? We were created differently as male and female. We have different personalities, families of origin and ways of thinking. Research tells us that most couples will disagree on about 75% of issues. We need to learn to disagree agreeably. The art of compromise is a necessity in marriage. We need to learn to value our spouse's opinions. We don't have to agree with it, but we need to listen and understand what our spouse thinks and why. We need to learn to use the phrase "I need" or "I feel". After expressing an opinion there needs to be brainstorming so that both partners feel like a win-win situation has been accomplished.

DID YOU KNOW?

Research* indicates that married people are better off financially, live longer, are healthier, and have better sex.

*Marriage Savers Manual by Michael J. McManus pp. 14-15 © 2000