Tips for keeping your relationship bonds strong

Being a parent is often described as one of the toughest jobs any person can take on in their life. And while most of us enjoy the challenge, there can be times when your loved one gets neglected. Relationship Services has come up with some tips for making your bond strong:

1. Remember that a strong connectionis good for the whole family. It improves your health and happiness, and your kids learn what a loving partnership looks like by watching you.
2. Make sure that taking care of your relationship is a priority, so that you can feel close to each other.
3. Commit to each other that you’ll work on being better parents and partners.
4. Agree to treat one another in a way that shows that you like each other. Remember why you’re together.
5. Share the credit when things go well – and call it a mistake when they don’t.
6. When your partner does something you like, tell them. It will help them feel appreciated and encouraged.
7. When your partner does something that upsets you, remember they may not have meant to.
8. When you make decisions, make them together, because both of your opinions count.
9. Agree to talk to each other honestly about what you’re thinking and feeling.
10. Listen to each other, don’t interrupt or talk over one another. Take turns to talk and listen.
11. When you argue, stick to the issue that needs to be solved – don’t resort to putting each other down.
12. Don’t forget to tell your partner the things you like about them – it’s too easy to take the good things for granted.
13. When you disagree, be polite. Focus on the issue rather than the person. Name-calling isn’t constructive.
14. Remember you’re on the same team – your relationship shouldn’t feel like a war zone.
15. Kids often find it scary when their parents argue, so if you keep it calm and constructive, it helps the kids cope.
16. It’s also important for kids to see when you have made up. Try your best to keep it civil.
17. Kids learn useful ways of dealing with conflict by watching the two of you interact, so be constructive when resolving situations.
18. Saying sorry is important if you end up saying or doing something that hurts the other person.
19. Sometimes understanding the other person’s point of view is more important than winning.
20. If it matters to one of you, it matters to both of you.
21. Make time for each other and make getting together a priority.
22. Remember that laughter can take the heat out of a tense situation, so make the time to have fun and laugh together when you are stressed out or really busy.
23. When you plan time for family fun, also plan time for just the two of you to have a cosy dinner or a night out.
24. Parenting can be tough, so agree that there may be times when you will both need some support.
25. Make sure you turn to friends and family as well as people in your community, such as your doctors, Plunket nurse or local minister.