RELATIONSHIPS

Starting a relationship is relatively easy, maintaining that relationship takes work.
Below is a list of suggestions PRIMARILY FOR COUPLES.

1. LISTEN
2. VALIDATE THE OTHER PERSON
3. REMEMBER THERE ARE NO WINNERS
4. DON’T PERSONALIZE IT
5. SCHEDULE DATE NIGHTS
6. IT’S THE TINY DETAILS
7. DON’T BE THE SOURCE OF THE OTHER PERSON’S PAIN
8. TIME ALONE
9. SET BOUNDARIES
10. BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU SAY, “I’M SORRY”.
11. MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT
12. FORGET “YOU”
13. KEEP YOUR BODY LANGUAGE ENGAGED
14. MIND PMS (positive, measurable, specific)
15. SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE
16. WATCH YOUR TONE
17. SCHEDULE FAMILY TIME
18. GET BEYOND YOUR DEFENSES
19. LISTEN TO A PROBLEM BUT DON’T TRY TO FIX IT.
20. CHOOSE PEACE
21. BE OPEN-MINDED
22. OBSERVE THE GOLDEN RULE

These are suggestions from 3 different counselors: Jan Miller of Ft. Worth, Molly Behannon of Dallas, and McKeon of Dallas.

Feel free to explain in your own words what each suggestion means to you.