| Most of us who are married have been there. Sharing | | | | offer up the excuse, "I was only teasing you; you |
| a nice conversation with another couple and the wife | | | | know I was not serious." Joking, more often times |
| or husband criticizes the other spouse or makes a | | | | leads to hurt feelings and leaves people around you |
| little dig towards the other. You don't really know | | | | feeling uncomfortable. |
| how to react, you feel embarrassed, so most of the | | | | There are times you need to criticize your spouse, or |
| time you just offer up a little nervous laugh. | | | | confront them on something. Forethought, along with |
| Or maybe you are the spouse who has criticized or | | | | a private place and time is what is needed. The best |
| was criticized in front of others. Little jokes or digs | | | | method to implement is the "Five to One" Rule. |
| can make big holes in a marriage relationship. Parents | | | | * For every criticism you feel you need to tell your |
| of teenagers, I believe, find more opportunity for | | | | spouse about the relationship, think of five positive |
| these types of encounters. As a parent you are | | | | comments to mention before the negative ones. |
| balancing being older, but trying to appear hip or | | | | * Uplift your spouse with your words when you are |
| younger. This often comes out in our conversations. | | | | in public, and be sensitive when approaching them in |
| One of the joys of having a teenager is they | | | | private. |
| understand joking and they offer up their own jokes. | | | | * If you have a spouse that hurts you with their |
| I have found myself laughing hysterically with some | | | | comments, go to them in private and tell them how |
| comment one of my sons made. But as parents we | | | | you feel. |
| need to be an example of the fine line between | | | | I guarantee you, if you only speak positive towards |
| joking and criticizing. We do this by not criticizing or | | | | your husband in public the chances he will do the |
| making digs towards the other spouse in public. Many | | | | same greatly increases. |