Tips for a happy marriage?

I wonder if this is what your parents had? My parents always read Dear Abby!

Ten Rules for a Happy Marriage

Dear Abby shared a list of Ten Rules for a Happy Marriage from a couple who reached their 50th anniversary and successfully made their marriage a promise for life. See how many of these are rules you live by:

1. Never both be angry at the same time.

2. Never yell at each other unless the house is on fire.

3. If one of you has to win an argument, let it be your mate.

4. If you must criticize, do it lovingly.

5. Never bring up mistakes of the past.

6. Neglect the whole world rather than each other.

7. Never go to sleep with an argument unsettled.

8. At least once every day say a kind or complimentary word to your life partner.

9. When you have done something wrong, admit it and ask for forgiveness.

10. Remember it takes two to make a quarrel.

1.Instead of trying to change something, he or she does - change you! Far too often, people get married with the belief they can simply change the person they married, molding him or her into the "perfect" mate. Instead, you need to accept your mate for the person he/she is. If a behavior needs to be changed, then provide support and encouragement. For example, if your husband complains about not having clean clothes, rather than nag at him, show him how to launder his shirts, jeans, or whatever it is he needs.

2.Communication is a key ingredient to any successful marriage. That means talking through situations rather than bottling up or yelling. By showing respect, you can work together as a couple should. With this, the two of you can talk to understand the other person's side better.

3.Keep intimacy as a part of the marriage. Remember, this person is the one you love, the one you want to share your life with, which means letting go of inhibitions. Intimacy is an excellent way to stay close, doing wonders for any marriage.

4.Accept the flaws in your spouse. Since no one is perfect, you want to learn to appreciate the differences between the two of you. If your husband wakes up with bad hair or your wife is grumpy, love him/her, in spite of the flaws.

5.Learn to ignore the small stuff. Every marriage faces challenges, some big and some small. Remind yourself that life is precious and short. Therefore, focus on the larger battles, working through them as a team while letting go of the incidentals that in the big scheme of things does not matter.

6.Make sure you choose your battles wisely. If you are going to pick something apart, make sure it really matters. Unfortunately, unresolved arguments are a big issue in marriages, often leading to divorce. Therefore, unless the issue is something significant, learn to let some things roll off your back.

7.Time for friends is also crucial. Once every other week, you should both take one day or evening to spend time apart and with same-sex friends. This will help you maintain your own identity and appreciate the time you have with your spouse.

8.Never take your spouse for granted. Again, life is too precious. Instead, find things that your partner does well or things that please you and let him/her know. If your husband is outside working on the car, take time to bring him a cold glass of tea or lemonade...just because. If your wife has been home all day with the children, hire a babysitter and surprise her with a dinner out.

9.Date...just because you are now legally married, you should not stop dating. Every Friday or Saturday night, even if you have children, make a date. This could be something as simple as bowling and beer or a romantic dinner and concert. The activity is not important, just that you get time for just the two of you.

Sponsors (article continues below)

10.Be forgiving with your partner. You will be faced with tough times and you have a choice of forgiving him/her when a mistake happens or carrying it in the marriage. Obviously, if you do not forgive, the marriage will suffer. Therefore, if resolution is found, swallow your pride and forgive your mate, letting the new day be another beginning.

1. Communication

2. Respect

3. Love

4. Friendship

5. Responsibility

i think every couple need to develop their own personal tips for a happy life together. No book can teach you how to live your life. You have to be able to handle each situation calmly and that only comes when you both understand each other, which in essence comes from communication, sure love is there, but often time love alone is never enough.

1) Take the time to understand your spouse.

2) Listen with an unbiased ear. Speak with an honest mouth.

3) Look through rose-colored glasses.

4) Be grateful for each day you spend together.

5) Do something nice and unnecessary for your spouse every day.

6) Hold hands often.

7) Talk, don't shout.

8) Be as kind to your spouse as you would be with a child. Be as honest with your spouse as you would be with your doctor. Be as generous with your spouse as you would be with a stranger in need.

9) Begin and end each day in love.

10) Always defend each other from the outside world.

Good luck--

1. Dont go to bed angry.

2. Comunicate

3. Say i love you every day

4. Hug at least once a day.

5. Show respect.

6. love like there is no tommorrow.

7. Be a friend

8. Listen when spoken to.

9. show respect

10. and finally make love like a couple of rabbits...

1. God has you here to serve one another. Love acted out is serving.

2.Women need respect and nurturing.

3. laugh often

4. Be patient. Love crumbles quickly under the weight of un-met expectations.

5. Spend more time trying to fix yourself then your spouse.

6.Keep anger at bay. Make it a habit to forgive.

7. Determine up front that divorce is not an option.

8. Learn about Love languages, they are; service, time, physical touch, gifts, and words of affirmation.

9. Words of affirmation are a love language for all men and women.

10. Men are born to be leaders. He cannot lead unless she gives him the confidence to do so. If you love your husband build him up. Confident men do not seek love outside the home.

1. If you have children believe it or not you and her come first..if your happy they will be happy...if your not fighting they will not be stressed.

2. Pick at least 1 night out of the week for alone time, not watching TV together i mean alone..see a movie, go for a walk, go to dinner, cook dinner for one another even..if kids make it hard, when they go to sleep take the alone time to sit and chat

3. Never go to bed angry

4. Always say i love before leaving one another.

5. It's ok to fight if you have to its called venting...do it in private and at the end remember no matter what the reason you are fighting for its not Worth not speaking for weeks, learn to move on

6. Just be kind to one another, complements never get old.. it reminds us why we love one another. Don't let the fire die.

7. Always remember the reasons you first fell in love, it will make you fall in love again and again

The A.R.T. of love:

1. Admiration

2. Respect

3. Trust

I've been married 10 years and the only thing that has kept us together is prayer. Pray for each other. Its hard at times, but its worth it in the end.