Couples Communication Guidelines

Couples Communication Guidelines:

• Most important decision (made each day): we will stay together.

• Unresolved conflict creates distance in the relationship.

• Successfully resolving issues builds trust, intimacy. It shows your relationship is strong enough to withstand challenges. Avoiding issues means you are not sure.

• Finding your "higher calling" in your marriage puts smaller issues in perspective.

• Intimacy is being able to reveal your true self knowing that it will not be used against you later.

• We must allow each other momentary frustrations without making a big issue of it or taking it personally.

• We can be the "container" for our partner's anger or frustration, allowing them to vent.

• Emotions are fleeting-sometimes it is best to let them pass without responding (especially when they are coming from our partner).

• It is important to speak up for what we want and represent ourselves truthfully in the relationship.