| Here are 5 successful marriage tips for those | | | | 3. Keep the Faith - Simply put, if you believe |
| who have been affected by the economic down | | | | you're doomed, then you probably are. If you |
| turn. Is this really necessary you ask? When you | | | | believe you'll come out on top, then you probably |
| consider money is among the top three reasons | | | | will. What do you believe to be true about your |
| couples divorce today, it really is necessary. | | | | current situation? If you're not sure, just monitor |
| Currently, thousands of families across the United | | | | your thoughts for a few hours. What do you |
| States have been negatively impacted by | | | | spend the majority of your time thinking about? |
| increasing unemployment numbers. Unfortunately, | | | | The answer to that question will give you clear |
| rising unemployment numbers can also translate | | | | insight into what you really believe regarding your |
| into an increase in divorce rates. If either you or | | | | future. If you discover your faith is not as strong |
| your spouse is unemployed, here are a few tips | | | | as it could be, then make a decision to change it, |
| to keep your marriage healthy and strong as you | | | | it's just that simple. |
| make this transition: | | | | 4. Save the Date - Regardless of how much |
| 1. Keep Things in Prospective - Step back from | | | | money you have or don't have. Regardless of |
| the situation and realize that although your job | | | | whether you live in a 5 bedroom house or a two |
| was taken away, you still have your life, your | | | | bedroom apartment; spending time with your |
| family, your health, and your skills. As long as you | | | | mate must always be the priority. Be deliberate |
| have all of those things, you are actually quite | | | | about having a date night and keeping it -- no |
| wealthy compared to some. In fact, looking at it | | | | matter what. There are tons of inexpensive |
| from a different perspective, the loss of your job | | | | things the two of you can do together. Like going |
| could actually be seen as an opportunity. An | | | | to a "dollar" movie, visiting a bookstore, walking in |
| opportunity for what you ask? An opportunity to | | | | the park, or having a game night at home. Your |
| start that business you've dreamed about for so | | | | financial situation is merely temporary, the truth is; |
| long; an opportunity to spend more time with | | | | it will eventually change. On the other hand, the |
| your family; perhaps even an opportunity to go | | | | relationship you have with your spouse, is a |
| back to school and increase your marketability. | | | | lifetime covenant with a value that far exceeds |
| 2. Avoid Misdirected Anger - Often times when | | | | dollars, diamonds, or gold. |
| one spouse is unemployed for a substantial period | | | | 5. Don't Parent - If you are the employed spouse, |
| of time, tempers begin to flair as the money | | | | don't grill your unemployed spouse with questions |
| begins to diminish. When you become accustomed | | | | about their job seeking efforts. Your position |
| to having a certain dollar amount in your checking | | | | should always be supporter, and encourager, not |
| account and all of a sudden it's not there, this can | | | | supervisor. The truth is, your spouse wants to |
| illicit feelings of fear, frustration, and ultimately | | | | get back into the work force just as much as |
| anger between spouses. But you must realize | | | | you want them to, probably more so. It is |
| your spouse is not your enemy. Neither are they | | | | doubtful he or she needs to be parented or |
| the blame for the situation. You are both on the | | | | supervised in order to find employment. So, resist |
| same team, fighting for the same dream. So, | | | | the urge to play mom or dad, and choose instead |
| instead of taking it out on your spouse, go bike | | | | to treat them with the same dignity and respect |
| riding or jogging to release that steam. | | | | you would want if it were you. |