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Have you heard of the seven-year itch stage in marriage? That when you reach your 7th year, it's when you decide to stay on or to break up. It's those times couples face the hardest of times, the most trying times, and the most “gruesome part” of the marriage, If I may exaggerate.
I am still under on that scary seven year itch-make or break-up stage. And I must say I am dealing with this very cautiously. My husband and I are married for 5 years now and there are still 2 more grueling years to anticipate and defeat. But I know I know we'll get by and crack that itchy part by just keeping up with these not-so-hard to follow golden rules.
Rule 1: Do not take your spouse for granted.
It doesn't mean you're already married, you will forget those little sweet things you do when you were still dating. You used to kiss your spouse four times a day before, now that you are counting your married years, double it. Id doesn't hurt to kiss your spouse though, just make sure her/his breath is fresh, especially in the morning. :)
Rule 2: Always look your best.
Being married is never an excuse for you to look unattractive and stinky in the morning. Some of the couples I know are never conscious of how they look when they wake up in the morning. Brushing their teeth and combing their hair seemed to be forgotten. This should not be. The more that you are married and have kids, the more you have to look and feel attractive. Take note that one of the reasons why our spouse cheat on us is because we don't look good and “appetizing” enough to trigger their “appetite”, that's why they hunt around and look for a more “appetizing” food.
Rule 3: Look back.
Reminisce your good old days, say the first time you meet, and try to remember all the “firsts” associated in your relationship: first kiss, first date, first place you visited together, first quarrel, first gift, etc. . . . You can also watch your wedding pictures together and share a good laugh.
Rule 4: Do respect each other.
Respect along with love and trust is the key ingredient in marriage. Most of the couples I knew, when they were still dating, the men hardly raise their voice over women, and vice-versa. But now that they are married, no day has passed without them shouting at each other over trivial things. The key here is, when you feel like bursting out, bite your lip, take 3 steps backward, and stay quiet and calm for a moment. This will help you tame and reprimand your mouth from shouting and uttering hurtful words to your spouse. Again, another reason for marriage failures are nagging wife who cannot live a day without battling with their husbands. So wives, if you want your husbands to stay on, train your tongue to behave.
Rule 5: Increase your intimacy.
You can do this by spending time together, just the two of you, minus the kids. You can either set a date out on weekends or book a room in a hotel. You cannot be intimate when your three-year old is around, tugging along the bed, and pursuing you to play Barbie, right?
Rule 6: Share the same objective.
It is important that you as a couple, share the same objectives, plans and decisions, otherwise, you will always clash, and eventually break up. Talk how you want things to come out. Make and listen to suggestions.
Rule 7: Pray together.
Nothing beats prayer. When everything else seemed to fail, when everybody else is breaking, always remember it only takes a second or two for you to kneel and pray. Couples who are one in faith are always couples one in love, one in heart, and one in soul.
Beat that seven year itch, stay together and celebrate your golden wedding anniversary. Defy the seven year itch niche by following these seven golden rules. Two years from now, I will right again an article and this time I will relate to you if we were able to successfully pass that seven year itch stage, but I am confident that we will…with God’s grace…
Written by Karina Taguiang-Yonson
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