September 23, 2022
top trending topics
💻 If your husband watches porn emotions can get heated, but these facts may help you process.
📵 Inform yourself about being married to a narcissist & find yourself with this guide.
👶 If an unplanned pregnancy seems like it’s pausing your future plans, process your emotions & move forward with these tips.
😅 Your relationship issues may be a YOU problem if…
❤️ Deepen your connection & intimacy when you chat about these topics with your spouse.
tips & tricks for growth
validate how your spouse is feeling
Validation is the act of helping someone feel heard and understood. Often when we share our feelings, we aren’t seeking advice; we’re seeking validation. We want to know that what we feel is valid and our thoughts have worth. Researchers have found that validation is critical to our relational, physical, and emotional health.
Show your spouse validation:
👂 Listen, listen, listen.
💛 Empathy goes a long way.
🔁 Repeat what they share.
👍 Normalize their feelings.
👀 See it through their eyes.
🤗 Touch them.
💃 Use your body.
Look for replies that validate the feelings your spouse has expressed. You may disagree with them (and that’s ok), but their feelings have value.
balancing act: marriage & kids
There’s no question that parenting focuses a lot of energy and love toward the children. And sometimes it becomes a challenge to have anything left for your spouse.
While research indicates that marital satisfaction decreases when you have children, it doesn’t mean you should throw in the towel. Many assume that after children come along, the kids should be the main focus. But studies show that child-centered marriages are the most at risk for distress. Focusing on building a strong marriage is a wonderful thing to give your children… and yourself. But, any parent can tell you that’s easier said than done!
Here are a few quick tips to help you balance married life & parenthood:
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Look for the good and overlook the bad
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Give two compliments every day
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Pick your battles
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Be intentional about spending time with your spouse
let’s get REALatable
It’s time to take things a step further & get a little intimate with a Q & A. What do you say?😉 Learn a little bit about the faces behind all of this relationship gold. This week we’re chatting with Caroline Henry, wife to her husband of 3 years, Will, momma to a 1yr old little girl, and the Content Strategist here at First Things First. Let’s get REALatable💛 & learn a little bit about her:
Q: One thing that gets you excited?
A: 😜 *Organizing* (don’t roll your eyes…) I seriously love taking something messy and chaotic and turning it into a beautiful, system-driven space. I think organization is one of the most useful tools a person can have. It not only impacts your mental health and efficiency, but it can help your marriage, parenting, and career in so many ways. Reach out if you’re a fellow obsessive organizer!
Q: What was your first job?
A: 👶 I babysat all through high school and college, but my first real job was at a children’s museum as a tour guide. It was such a fun job! Here’s a list of children’s museums nationwide if you’ve never been to one!
Q: Best place to spend a long weekend?
A: 🗻 Anywhere in the mountains with a really good cup of coffee, a view, and a porch swing. *Swoon*
YOUR TURN….
Q: If you could have better communication in your marriage, would you?
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