How To Maintain The HoneyMoon After It Ends!

By: Dejia' Smith, Rachel Lisitza, Jessica Krawiec, Guadalupe Herrera

1. DO: Resolve conflict when it occurs

Alex Kouzarides / Via uswitch.com

-Have pillow talk when your day is not the best.

-Discuss what is bothering you at that moment instead of bottling and letting it have an impact later on.

2. DON'T: Strike down your partner for who they are, but rather address the one action that is bothering you at that moment!

Peanuts.wikia / Via peanuts.wikia.com

-Address the individual problem and not your spouse as a person.

-Negative put-downs, unsympathetic jokes, teasing, or name-calling is not the solution. It will only lead to more conflict and unhappiness.

-Realize it’s the temporary situation and not the long term relationship.

3. DO: Remember Date Nights!

Yahoo movies / Via yahoo.com

-Still act as if you are dating and chase your partner as if you aren’t married.

-The FUN ISN’T OVER! Go out and have new experiences, create memories, and new adventures. After all, you now have a long-term companion to share these amazing moments with!

4. DON’T: Monopolize each other’s time

Maggy Van Eijk / Via hexjam.com

-Still have girls’ days and boys’ nights! Don’t forget who your friends are.

-Alone time is still necessary every once in awhile

-You can each have individual hobbies you partake in, as well as, friend groups which do not include your significant other

5. DO: Use Self Disclosure

Pinterest / Via pinterest.com

-Talk to each other about your feelings and thoughts

-Be honest and open with your partner-- there’s no better way to bond!

-NOTE: Both partners need to disclose equally if you want this to work

-NOTE#2: Too much self-disclosure can be a bad thing. Best not to be so open that you automatically point out everything you don’t like about them.

6. DON’T: Shut down all forms of communication

Relatably / Via relatably.com

-Without communication it is nearly impossible to resolve conflict

-Shutting down communication all together is called stonewalling. This can be destructive to your relationship. This is essentially the last stage that could lead to divorce.

-In place of communication, you will probably have negative thoughts about each other that will bubble up until you reach your breaking point.

7. DO: Learn how to share

Jerry King / Via cartoonstock.com

-Responsibilities

-Chores

-Pets

-Holidays

-MONEY

-Time

-KIDS

8. DON’T: Act like you’re only responsible for yourself

Pinterest / Via pinterest.com

-Learn to compromise and accommodate your partner’s needs and wants. Remember, you’re not single anymore!

-Communicate when in regards to big decisions--financial,

-Don’t assume you have no responsibility in arguments--be able to actively listen and acknowledge what your partner is trying to communicate