How to have a successful marriage

By Rose DesRochers Are you looking to strengthen your marriage? Here are some tips and suggestions to make your marriage a successful one.

Be friends: Ask any couple that has been married 50 years and they will most likely tell you that their spouse is their best friend. They treat each other with respect and talk about everything. My husband and I are always doing something together. We enjoy each other's company and when I'm upset or need to talk to someone he is the person I turn to.

Spend time enjoying each other: Schedule time to be alone together. When you both agree to make time for each other, you'll enjoy the time you have together. Find new and exciting things to do. This keeps the relationship alive and exciting. Time together can also really help to bridge any gaps in your relationship.

Share Responsibilities: Part of the key to a healthy relationship consists of the two of you working together. Whether it is parenting, dealing with finances, or balancing household responsibilities, teamwork is an important feature to a successful marriage. Working as a team helps minimize some of the stress of daily life and makes your marriage stronger.

Communication: Communication is important in every marriage. When you communicate your needs, you make it easier for your partner to better understand you. Never assume that your husband knows how you feel. Men have been trying to figure out women for decades and they can't.

Strive to communicate your feelings without being aggressive or defensive. Do not hold on to resentment. Don't bring up past mistakes when arguing. Doing this only results in one or both of you ending up feeling hurt and damaged. Don't point out each others short comings. So what if he doesn't put the seat down on the toilet, or farts in bed. We all have short comings.

Intimacy: Concentrate on intimacy between each other. The lightest touch can tell your partner you’re still very much in love with them. Perhaps give him a peck on the cheek, a brush of the shoulder, a smile from across the room or lay your head on his lap while watching a movie. Keep the romantic flame burning.

Every marriage will have its share of ups and downs. No relationship is without occasional disagreements. How couples negotiate these differences is what has an overall impact on your marriage. Marriage is only successful when the both of you work together. Wishing you all the best to a happy, successful marriage.

Please note: This advice is intended for couples who have hit a rough spot in their marriage. If you are considering divorce, please see the support of a marriage counselor.

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About The Author: Rose DesRochers is a wife, mother, respite worker, shih-tzu owner, blogger, poet, freelance writer, as well as the administrator of Today's Woman. Rose has been married 22 years and brings firsthand experience to her advice on marriage.