Long relationships are just not something that you hear about very often anymore.
In a June 2016 issue of Time magazine is an article entitled, How to Stay Married. I found some valuable ideas in this article that I’d like to share with you.
John Gottman, one of our country’s leading marriage researchers says, “The surprising thing is that the longer people are together, the more the sense of kindness returns. Our research is starting to reveal that in later life, your relationship becomes very much like it was during courtship.”
Whether you’re in a committed relationship, engaged, newly married, married for years, or married for decades, here are some things research suggests to consider to be make sure you not only stay married, but stay happily married:
1. If you get married after age 26, have a college degree, haven’t had kids or aren’t pregnant, and are securely employed, you will tend to stay married.
2. If you and your mate have similar values and backgrounds, you will tend to stay married.
3. If you have some type of faith/spirituality in your life, divorce is slightly less likely.
4. If you and your partner embrace one another’s interests, you’ll tend to stay married.
5. If you refrain from letting your kids keep you from going out alone together to spend quality time, you’ll tend to stay married.
Researches found that a vital theme for a strong, happy marriage is to avoid contempt at all costs. Here is their definition of contempt: constant interruption, dismissal of a partner’s concerns, and withdrawal from conversation. My interpretation … nice matters!!
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