100 Plus Hints And Tips For Building Good Relationships

By David & Maureen Brown

The remaining ones

76. Do not use phrases like "the old bag", "my old man (or woman)", "he (or she) is useless".
77. First look at his/her good points before considering the few bad ones.
78. Husbands encourage your wife; tell her that she looks good.
79. Husbands recognise the effect the menstrual cycle will have on your wife. Anticipate her period and understand her through it.
80. Prepare for each other’s coming home.
81. Try not communicate across a room but rather sit on a comfortable seat together.
82. When out hold hands or walk arm-in-arm together.
83. With children at home (especially small ones) the first adult conversation your wife will probably have all day is with you as you come home from work. Give her time and space to express herself.
84. No one has yet won any gold medals for dusting ability or fuse mending, yet each is a part of making a home welcoming.
85. Most jobs eventually get boring, dull and repetitive. Marriage is the thing that gives life its zest and meaning.
86. Go window-shopping in another town, that way you will find your spouse's likes and dislikes.
87. Express appreciation.
88. Be courteous.
89. Celebrate special events - and invent a few!
90. Develop a circle of babysitters.
91. Put realistic times together in your diaries - don't leave them to chance.
92. Seek out holidays/vacations that not only combine fun for the children but also allow time for just you two.
93. Unplug the TV and the computer and simply spend time enjoying and appreciating each other.
94. Make the most of unexpected opportunities.
95. As individuals do not take on too many activities outside the home. When any are taken on only do so after discussion between you both as to time involvement, demands etc.
96. Never allow children into the bedroom without knocking, consider a small bolt on the door.
97. Never allow your parents a key and free access to your house.
98. Share chores - no "that's your job/my job" mentality.
99. Take a bubble bath together with candles and wine!
100. If you have a faith, pray regularly together.
101. Cook a meal for her, and then do the washing up.
102. Phone him/her up from work just to tell her you love them.
103. Take a cookery class together.
104. Quickly learn how to resolve issues – do not bury them as they will come up somewhere, sometime, somehow!
105. When it comes to making love recognize that he is a microwave and she is an oven!
106. For those who have inherited a family through re-marriage the foregoing is even more important and will need much attention in the early days.
107. Marriage has been described as "The toughest job you will ever love."

The above could be viewed as a list of do's and don'ts - it is not. It is what we are finding to be the ingredients of an onward moving and growing relationship. It is shared with you with the prayerful hope that it will help you and your children build a good marriage and family together. No doubt you will be able to add to it in the future.