Is your marriage stalled? Do you find yourself facing the same issues over and over? Would you like to see your marriage grow and prosper? Take the Marriage and Growth Challenge.
Your strength areas have the most agreement and positive aspects. Your growth areas have the most disagreement and need for improvement.
- Communication – Do you share feelings and strive to understand each other?
- Conflict Resolution – Are you able to discuss and resolve differences?
- Partner Style and Habits – Do you appreciate and celebrate each other’s personalities and habits?
- Financial Management – Do you strive to agree on budget and on financial matters?
- Leisure Activities – Do you have a happy and healthy balance of together and apart activities?
- Sexuality and Affection – Do you have a happy, healthy and satisfying sex life?
- Family and Friends – Do you have a strong relationship with your family and your friends?
- Relationship Roles – Do you share in positive and productive ways family decision-making and responsibilities?
- Children and Parenting – Do you work together to offer your children the best parenting you can provide?
- Spiritual Beliefs – Do you respect and celebrate each other’s spiritual and religious beliefs?
By yourself rank these ten areas for strengths and for growth by identifying your top three areas for strengths and your top three areas for growth. With your list in hand, share with your partner your top three relationship strengths. Discuss your agreements and your disagreements. Use the same procedure for the top three growth areas.
Using assertiveness, where you express your feelings and ask for what you want, and using active listening where you let your partner know you understand by restating their message, together create a wish list of three things you would like more of or less of in your relationship.
Do you find this challenge difficult? Would you like help to make your marriage grow and prosper? A professional counselor can help you build the marriage you both want. You, your partner and your family deserve to grow together into the best family you can be.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Marriage Strength and Growth Challenge?
- The Marriage Strength and Growth Challenge is a structured approach designed to evaluate and improve various aspects of a marriage. Couples individually rank ten key areas: communication, conflict resolution, partner style and habits, financial management, leisure activities, sexuality and affection, family and friends, relationship roles, children and parenting, and spiritual beliefs. They then share and discuss their top strengths and growth areas with their partner.
- How can communication be improved in a marriage?
- Improving communication in a marriage involves sharing feelings openly, striving to understand one another, and using assertiveness and active listening. Assertiveness means expressing your feelings and asking for what you need, while active listening involves restating the other's message to show understanding.
- What role does financial management play in a successful marriage?
- Financial management in marriage involves agreeing on budgeting and financial matters. Partners should collaborate on financial decisions to maintain harmony and prevent misunderstandings regarding their financial life, ultimately contributing to the relationship's overall success.
- Why are leisure activities important for a couple?
- Leisure activities are vital for maintaining a happy and healthy balance of together and apart time. Engaging in shared hobbies can strengthen connections, while individual activities allow for personal growth, both of which are crucial for relationship satisfaction.
- How can couples address disagreements effectively?
- Effective conflict resolution requires open discussion and a willingness to understand each other's viewpoints. Couples can address disagreements by communicating honestly, practicing empathy, and jointly seeking resolutions that satisfy both partners.
- How does a counselor assist in marriage growth?
- A professional counselor offers guidance to couples looking to strengthen their marriage. Counselors provide strategies to enhance communication, resolve conflicts, and build mutual understanding, helping partners grow together into the best family they can be.