What a couple needs

2 things every marriage needs: First- the high five. Be your spouse's cheerleader! How to react to your partner's good news is sometimes more important than how you react to their bad news. The second ingredient your marriage needs is dates you both look forward to- this can lead to going along with what you don't really want to do, which can lead to resentment.

3 things every marriage could live without: First, the eye roll. When you don't like what your spouse is doing or saying, you roll your eyes and sigh. Research shows that body language is just as hurtful as name calling- it's passive/aggressive behavior. Figure out what rubs you the wrong way- if it's small, get over it! But if it's something you think they can, and should change, then say so- deal with the problem head on.

The second thing your marriage can do without is "Wait! The kids need me!" Sometimes high parenting standards can lead to low marriage standards. Being available to your kids all the time puts your marriage on the back burner.

The last thing that shouldn't have room in your marriage is the public put-down- don't correct your spouse in public! Treat them with the same courtesy you'd give to a stranger- when they've finished a story (that you might not have agreed with)- instead of "Are you crazy? It didn't happen that way!", just wait until they've finished their version, and simply say, "I liked the way you put that."