Personalize Partner Interactions
It is very important to weave personal care and warmth into your relationship.
Sometimes this is as simple as offering a smile, a hug or pat on the back, or words of praise and appreciation. Sometimes this is noticing that your partner is struggling and offering a friendly ear or other support.
"Checking in" at the beginning of the day. Take a minute to see how everyone is feeling that day. Share a moment of empathy, or care.
This behavior not only fosters support and harmony but also alerts you, and your partner to the moods that you are bringing into the day. This will help you to be considerate of those concerns, in your responses.
Be Responsible To Your Partner
We are probably not going to like or agree with every decision your partner makes but, an attitude of “My wife is an idiot,” is only going to assure that you will never be happy in your relationship.
Acting as a team means learning to defuse situations without blaming, criticizing, or other negative judgment.
The word responsibility means ability to respond (response-ability), not “who do we blame for this?!” Response ability has to do with choice and power.
There is no place in a successful relationship for criticizing, blaming, or negative judgment. Replace these with encouragement, care, and problem solving.
Optimal teamwork means using the resources of both partners, and that includes the wisdom and experience of each person. When you are inclusive of each other's perspectives in problem solving, you'll not only make better decisions, but you'll get more support and motivation from each other.
Teamwork benefits everyone.
