September « 2010 « For Your Marriage

The Early Years of Marriage: Two Books

The early years of marriage–the honeymoon phase–are also the riskiest. These two books offer practical advice for building a solid foundation for your marriage.

Be Prepared To Be Surprised

After 12 years of marriage, I am surprised at what still surprises me. Three things surprised me recently.

My wife hates ketchup, for one.

To thrive

From Follow the Way of Love To thrive, love requires attention, communication, and time.

“If a married couple with children has fifteen minutes of uninterrupted, nonlogistical, non-problem-solving talk every day, I would put them in the top 5% of all married couples. It’s an extraordinary achievement.” (Bill Doherty, Take Back Your Marriage) Try it for a week.

Recession Pushes More Wives Into Workplace

The Great Recession has forced many wives to become the primary breadwinners in their families. How are American families coping with the new financial realities?

A Wedding Planning Reality Check

If you’re caught up in the stress of wedding planning, step back for a moment and consider what’s really important about your big day.

September 29, 2010

The interaction of men and women in the workplace can pose a danger to marriage. Work colleagues with similar interests see each other daily, mostly on their best behavior, and with make-up. Recognize the temptation and inoculate yourselves with commitment.

A shared obligation for spouses

From Follow the Way of Love Balancing home and work responsibilities is a shared obligation for spouses.

“Just” Friends

Couples often speak of the joy of having married their best friend. What does friendship in marriage look like and how can it be nurtured?

Humility is forged in prayer

From Follow the Way of Love Humility is forged in prayer: husbands and wives praying with and for each other… This is the heart of ministry within the church of the home.

September 28, 2010

“I give you a new commandment: love one another.” (John 13:34) So simple, so profound, so difficult. If spouses, who chose each other following strong physical and emotional attraction, can fight and contemplate divorce, is it any wonder countries also war with each other?

September 27, 2010

Try “drive-thru communication” for couples. You know the drill – you give your order, the cashier repeats it, then you confirm it. It works for clean couple communication too. You express an idea, your spouse repeats it, you confirm.

An evangelizing and missionary task

From Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan The Christian family has an evangelizing and missionary task.

September 26, 2010

Weekly Date Idea: Go to a public place (a train station, airport lobby, downtown gathering place) and people watch. If you see someone who looks sad or distressed say a prayer or lend a hand.

A married couple shares

From Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan A married couple shares in [the] live-giving communion of love by together procreating children in the conjugal act of love.

The unity of marriage will radiate

From On the Family The unity of marriage will radiate from the equal personal dignity of husband and wife, a dignity acknowledged by mutual and total love.

September 25, 2010

Are you a “good cause” widow(er)? It’s possible to get your need for validation met by doing good works while neglecting your spouse. Check at home for spouse neglect.

How Well Can You Read Your Spouse’s Moods?

Can you interpret how your spouse is feeling based on his or her words and actions? Take this quiz together to find out.

The Violence and Heroism Hidden in the Home

The home is the place where “the most striking and generous” forms of peacemaking are witnessed. Unfortunately, the home also is a place where violence occurs. The Catholic bishops of Australia address both in a statement for Social Justice Sunday, observed Sept. 26 in their country.

Archive for September, 2010