Do you ever find yourself talking negatively about your marriage or your spouse because others are discussing how horrid their marriages are? Or do you play the silence card in these situations?
Marriage gets a bad reputation because people don't stand up for marriage. Do yourself a favor. Take a stand. Make a difference.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Not very long
Here's How:
- Don't laugh.
- Don't join in with negative comments about your marriage or spouse.
- Realize that you don't have to accept any put downs about your spouse or your marriage.
- Accept that negativity about marriage can be contagious.
- Respond with a positive comment using "I" language. If you tell a personal story, you can get your point across and not come across as being preachy.
- Although a comment may be funny or clever to others, be honest and say you are uncomfortable with the conversation if you consider what was said about marriage to be offensive, malicious, or hurtful.
- Remind yourself that when you stand up for your marriage, you are doing yourself a favor. You are doing yourself a favor because you are focusing on your own marriage in a positive way.
- Realize the difference between someone putting down marriage as a way to try to be funny or witty and someone who may be asking for help in a subtle way.
- Share Your Experiences About Standing Up for Your Marriage
Tips:
- Remember to not come across as a know-it-all.
- Take into consideration the level of sobriety of the person who is making negative comments about marriage.
What You Need
- Confidence
- Tact
- Courage
- Know Where You Stand and What You Believe
