Your Marriage Relationship Toolbox

There are certain “talk” tools that can improve any marriage. These tools are often used with couples who sign up for marriage retreat week-ends. Specific “talk” tools are introduced along with a process known as facilitated communication. With communication facilitated by a third party, a couple is able to learn better ways to communicate with one another as they share a renewal of their marriage during the retreat week-end. The best way to get on track with your marriage is to actually attend a marriage retreats but the sample of a few “talk” tools shown below can show you how to begin to have better communication within your marriage. • Watch your timing. • Use a business-like location for your couple communication. • Only praise, no criticism. • You do not criticize any suggestion or idea. • Never interrupt. • Don’t blurt! Soften your statements. • No re-defining the issue. • Take time to see things from the other person’s point of view. • Make all of your statements into questions. • Repeat what the other person said. • Be specific. • Apologize, even though it’s not your fault. • Dare to be the person your spouse wants you to be. • Check-in, check-up but don’t check-out.