Why Marriage and Relationships are My Utmost Important Subjects
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Why? Recently, I became a foster mom to two teenage boys, and I’m dedicated to helping the next generation as much as I can. Any parent who has gone through the teenage years knows the challenges involved.
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Why mention teens again? Because no matter how much we help troubled teens, the foundation of everything lies in the home—the marriages and relationships that shape them.
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The shift in family dynamics: It’s been over 70 years since women entered the workforce in large numbers. Gone are the days when men were the sole providers, and women were solely caregivers. Today, the expectation is that men and women share responsibilities equally, 50/50.
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Where problems begin: I know some may be thinking, "What about women having careers?" I fully support women building careers and setting strong examples for their children—I’m a woman too! But I believe men should still embrace the role of provider.
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Respect and balance: I also believe that respect plays a crucial role. A woman should always respect her man, and in turn, he should treat her like his queen. Finding this balance, and agreeing on it from the start, helps foster a healthy marriage and relationship.
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Open, honest communication: It all begins with open and trusted communication. Without that, you have nothing.
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Setting boundaries: You must agree on how to communicate, understand each other’s red lines, and define what is off-limits in moments of anger. That includes the tone of voice used during disagreements.
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Pride in each other: You must be proud of each other, and especially as a woman, proud of your man. This goes a long way in strengthening your bond.
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Keeping it front of mind: These are basic rules, but they’re powerful. Keep them in mind, remind each other of them, and write down what you’ve agreed on, so you can refer to it when necessary.