| This method works no matter what type of crisis the | | | | regular daily upkeep of the home. |
| couple is hit with, whether it is a death or illness in the | | | | - Do not expect your spouse to pick up your slack as |
| family, a natural disaster, trouble with the law, problems | | | | far as everyday life activites go; instead, consider hiring |
| with children, or some other type of issue. | | | | outside help or asking friends for assistance. By not |
| How can couples deal with a critical juncture in their | | | | placing extra work on your spouse, the difficult period |
| marriage? The basic method involves having a plan | | | | in your life will likely be less traumatic because you will |
| in place ahead of time, before such an eventuality | | | | be able to rely on your spouse for support. |
| occurs. In other words, the couple needs to know | | | | - Make sure that you are communicating well with |
| how to handle an emergency or urgent problem | | | | your spouse. Do not use harsh language when |
| before any type of predicament happens. The | | | | speaking; rather, use calm, patient wording. Speak to |
| tactics outlined below will suffice for most couples in | | | | your spouse as you would like your spouse to speak |
| working out most any type of critical situation. By | | | | to you. Without good, strong communication, a |
| following these suggestions, couples should be able to | | | | marriage crisis can turn into material for a divorce--and |
| deal with any marriage crisis as it arises. | | | | this is definitely not what anyone wants. So, be |
| - Do not blame each other for the circumstances or | | | | open-minded when having discussions and be sure to |
| situation that you are in. Blaming does not solve | | | | listen to your spouse's point of view. Above all else, |
| anything, and it could make things worse as it can | | | | be able to forgive and move on if there are any issues |
| increase hostility between the two of you. Instead, be | | | | with miscommunication. |
| in control of your own actions and be supportive of | | | | - Approach the situation together. A marriage in crisis |
| your spouse's needs. | | | | is a problem for the couple, not for one spouse or the |
| - Try to lower your expectations of how everyday life | | | | other; therefore, both people in the marriage need to |
| should function when dealing with a marriage | | | | work together in order to be able to get past the |
| predicament. For example, you may need to eat | | | | trauma. Working together can mean facing the |
| meals out more often rather than cooking at home as | | | | problem as one or it can mean getting therapy as a |
| you usually would. Or, you may have to let the | | | | couple; this will depend upon the exact crisis that the |
| housekeeping slide if there isn't time to handle the | | | | couple is having. |