Staying Married -- What You Need to Know
By Sheri & Bob Stritof, About.com Guides to Marriage
Every marriage needs help now and then, both during the good times and when things become difficult. Here are issues that impact marriages and skills to help you deal with those issues and problems in healthy ways. Remember that most problems have solutions. Don't ignore the problems and issues in your marriage. If your marriage is in trouble, get started and make the necessary changes together that will help your marriage.
- Communication Skills
- Save Your Marriage
- Sexual Problems in Your Marriage
- Cheating Spouses
- Interfaith Marriages
- In-Laws
- Health Concerns
- Other Tough Topics and Marriage Issues
- Expectations, Myths and Tips
- When to Call it Quits
Communication Skills
In order to have a successful marriage you must learn how to communicate effectively with one another. This includes listening.
- The Importance of Conversation in Your Marriage
- Why Your Spouse Won't Listen to You
- Is Negativity Hurting Your Marriage?
- Listening Skills
- Listening Tips
- How to Share What's In Your Heart With Your Spouse
- Daily Dialogue in Your Marriage
- Daily Dialogue Hints
- The Eye Roll in Marriage
- Secrets in Marriage
Save Your Marriage
If your marriage is in trouble, don't throw in the towel too quickly. Here are ways to save your marriage.
Sexual Problems in Your Marriage
Lack of communication about sexual problems can tear your marriage apart. If you have waited several months to talk about sexual problems with your spouse, you've waited too long.
- Signs of a Low Sex Marriage
- When Your Husband Isn't Interested in Sex
- Solutions for Women With Low Libido
- Can Pornography Undermine a Marriage?
- Too Tired for Sex?
Cheating Spouses
If you are trying to cope after learning that your spouse cheated on you, remember that you are not the reason your spouse cheated. The decision to cheat was made by your spouse. Here's advice on what to do and not to do during this heart breaking journey.
- Common Excuses for Cheating
- Why Some Spouses Cheat
- Emotional Affairs 101
- What to Do If Your Spouse is Unfaithful
Interfaith Marriages
If you are in an interfaith marriage, the two of you have a few more challenges to face than couples of the same faith. Religious differences in interfaith marriages may create problems for interfaith couples, but usually these problems can be lessened by being honest about the issues.
- Coping Strategies for Interfaith Marriages
- Interfaith Marriage Stumbling Blocks
- Mistakes to Avoid in Your Interfaith Marriage
- Observing the Holidays as an Interfaith Couple
In-Laws
In-laws can be a tremendous source of support and closeness. Your in-laws can also be a major problem in your marriage relationship. Here are some tips to help you cope with your in-laws.
- In-laws Coping Tips
- Spending Time With Your In-laws
- When You Disapprove of Your Child's Marriage
- When Your Parents Disapprove of Your Marriage
Health Concerns
It is natural to worry when you can see that your spouse isn't feeling well or has obvious medical problems. Some people like to be fussed over when they are sick and others like to just be left alone. It is important to know your spouse's feelings about being under the weather.
- What to Do When Your Spouse Won't See a Doctor
- Chronic Illness in Marriage
- Fighting Breast Cancer Together
- Fighting Prostate Cancer Together
- When the Bug Bites
Other Tough Topics and Marriage Issues
Finances and chores are two topics that cause couples to get divorced. Don't let these issues create a wedge between the two of you.
- How to Divide Household Chores
- Maternal Gatekeepers
- Financial Advice Married Couples Don't Want to Hear
- Financial Questions for Couples to Discuss
Expectations, Myths and Tips
Having unrealistic expectations can bring the two of you to the point of wanting to call it quits. Your expectations need to be verbalized with one another. Your marriage could be in trouble because you believe in the myth of happily-ever after.
When to Call it Quits
Do you recognize red flags and warning signs of problems in your marriage? Without recognizing when your marriage is in trouble, you may wait too long to get help.
