Relationship Building for Long Term Relationships and Marriage: Keep It Clean

by April Braswell on April 15, 2009

Indeed, singles and couples need to keep their side of the fence clean, and the GriefRecovery completion process is the best one I have seen for having clean, clear actions to DO that. So many people say, “Oh, just let go….” Doesn’t that sound beautiful and lovely? (I can almost hear the swelling violin section, it SOUNDS so beautiful.) And yet we DO NOT KNOW HOW to do so.

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There’s the initial massive clean up of the GriefRecovery work which is essential for Divorce Recovery or after the death of a spouse or end of a romantic relationship. Like with a move or after renovation and remodeling of your home. Still, we need to do weekly upkeep AND Spring Cleaning and Winter Cleaning.

I was just watching Nanny911 last night. The introduction of order into the home was essential for their children to behave well. However, the Nanny is always so wise. Essentially children “misbehaving” is often (I’m not an expert here, just my observation from the show and some training over several years) the thermometer gauge of a bigger issue with the adults, the marriage. The couple’s own lack of alignment and agreement in HOW to raise their children was mirror reflected in their children’s acting out behavior.

Often younger singles do not even THINK during their dating and courtship to have PARENTING STYLE sort of discussions and negotiations. What they talk about and grill each other on is, instead, “How many children do you want to have?”

Both topics are useful to discuss. As well as career plans, and finances must be discussed during the relationship building stage of courtship, sort of the Phase 2 and 3 of the couples YEAR 1 of their courtship. And those are topics to be renegotiated and discussed AT LEAST annually.

Indeed, with the current economic times, outside forces might make those topics suddenly more pressing as one spouse loses his job, or the other spouse decides to start her own business on the side.

Happy Dating and Relationships!

April Braswell

Divorce Recovery and GriefRecovery® Specialist

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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }

Jennifer Battaglino April 15, 2009 at 3:11 PM

Great post and practical useful information for all.
You are great and responsible with what you do and how you help people find and develop healthy romantic relationships.

Jennifer
The Harwood Center – Tinnitus, Chronic Illness, Fers, Phobias, and Anxiety

Sonya Lenzo April 15, 2009 at 3:55 PM

Interested in hearing a little more about what the certification process was like for this…
SunnyMarie
http://www.sunnymarie.wordpress.com

JJ Jalopy April 15, 2009 at 4:11 PM

You’re full of good practical, honest advice April.

I’m sure you’re responsible for many happy faces around the world!

Mrs Jalopy and I hope to see you in Vegas soon! ;-)

JJ Jalopy.
Life Coaching and Home Business Advice with JJ Jalopy

jc mackenzie April 15, 2009 at 4:47 PM

April,

I appreciate your post, reminds me of a young lady in my department-she has been separated over a year now, divorced a short while ago. Her entire conversation centers around her ex: what he did, what he didn’t, what he’s doing now etc. She doesn’t know how to move on.

Thanks

JC JC

Yann Vernier - ProfitsTactics.com April 15, 2009 at 5:20 PM

I have noticed those who harrass you with “Oh, just let go…” remarks are often the worst ones at letting go themselves. The GriefRecovery process is an awesome program, I am so pleased you are offering it to your dating clients.

All the best,
Yann

Lynn Lane April 15, 2009 at 5:25 PM

Sound advice that can be used in day to day life.

You help many evaluate their relationships and the importance of it.

Lynn Lane
http://www.Warriorofsuccess.com

Pat Becker April 15, 2009 at 5:29 PM

Good practical advice. You’re right about couples thinking about and talking about parenting styles before the blessed event or, more important, before marriage. The differences can tear apart relationships. Wish more of us had these discussions.

-Pat
Business Owners Fast Track to Internet Profits

Don Shepherd April 15, 2009 at 6:15 PM

thanks for another insightful post. liked the part about discussing parenting style.
Best negotiated before conception.

Don Shepherd
oregon or bust

Darryl Pace April 15, 2009 at 6:59 PM

April,
Your post today contained a lot of good information. I particularly enjoyed the part that talked about what dating people should talk over and iron out before they get married. After they iron out the serious decisions like how many kids, parenting styles, if one or both partners will work, etc., then they can get to the fun topics like…how they plan to stay fit together!

Take care.

Health, Fitness, Success — Darryl Pace

Bob Kaufer April 15, 2009 at 7:04 PM

April,

Thanks for this post, this is great information to know, understand and put to use.

Bob Kaufer
If you MOVE like the Tin Man, you will THINK like the Scarecrow and FEEL like the Lion

Steve Chambers April 15, 2009 at 9:01 PM

The small things indicate how the big things are doing. Interesting analogy to Nanny 911 since this is so true. This is a wonderful and wise post.

Steve

Duane Cunningham April 15, 2009 at 9:13 PM

Hi April,

Great advice and i can see how this would have helped me actually during the process that i went through after my relationship ended…Hindsight is a wonderful thing but having advice from an expert it means i will move forward much wiser for the experience!

Great Post!

Duane

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John Ho April 16, 2009 at 5:05 AM

Just this evening at the office after work, we discuss how man & women alike behaves differently after they get married as compared when they’re dating each other.

* Marriage is love. Love is blind. Therefore marriage is an institution for the blind.

* Married life is full of excitement and frustration: In the first year of marriage, the man speaks and the woman listens. In the second year, the woman speaks and the man listens.In the third year, they both speak and the NEIGHBOUR listens.

* Getting married is very much like going to a restaurant with friends.You order what you want, and when you see what the other person has, you wish you had ordered that instead.

Well, if people get advice either from you or myself first, they might have a better chance in selecting the “right” spouse. But then, it’s easier said than done :) )

Destiny, ah!

John Ho
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personalities for Better Influence & Persuasion

Rob Northrup April 16, 2009 at 6:06 AM

April,

Great post. I think that couple’s feelings regarding how children should be raised and other related questions are among the most important to figuring out compatibility over the long term. If you are in sync on these issues you are likely to hold similar values and that is a good sign for a long healthy relationship.

Seize the Day,

Rob
Sales Eagles Soar Above the Competition!

Pam Schulz April 16, 2009 at 8:45 AM

April -

This advice is so important:
“Often younger singles do not even THINK during their dating and courtship to have PARENTING STYLE sort of discussions and negotiations. What they talk about and grill each other on is, instead, “How many children do you want to have?”

There are three things that most couples most often fail to really get a handle on before they move into a commitment stage, and in reality probably are the biggest causes for relationships to getting stuck in a ditch:
1. finances
2. kids
3. in-law expectations

These are things that everyone assumes will be easily worked out. We believe that everyone thinks like we do. WRONG!!!

If these things are not discussed, most people will have a rude awakening down the road!

Great post!
Pam
Great Minds, Great Wealth: How to Raise your Return, Reduce your Risk, Cut your Cost

David Power April 16, 2009 at 8:18 PM

Great stuff April..your info is so kewl!!!

David Power

mark mallen April 16, 2009 at 11:30 PM

April, Excellent points. Personally, I think all couples should sign a non binding pre-marriage contract before they get married. It would have general points about who is responsible for what. This can help avoid arguments when issues subsequently come up. Mark

marketingscoops

Nadine April 17, 2009 at 3:11 AM

Hi, Super post, Need to mark it on Digg
Thanks
Nadine

mark April 17, 2009 at 9:45 AM

April, What you are saying is so true. I think people should sign a non binding pre-marriage agreement before they get married. The agreement could contain some of the potential issues you brought it and other potential conflicts. This will help couples avoid the , “I assumed you would______” arguments. Mark

Marketingscoops

Anthony Lemme April 17, 2009 at 1:18 PM

Values, values, values! If there are not similar values in the big areas, no amount of fun, hot sex, attraction, etc will hold the relationship together in the long run. Good information.

Kind Regards,
Anthony
http://www.anthonylemme.com

Mitchell Rehaume April 22, 2009 at 9:32 AM

Hi April,

Great post and filled with great information on dating. A lot of your posts I can apply to outside relationships that are not with my partner.

Thanks,

Mitch

Mickah January 14, 2011 at 1:46 PM

I would be grateful if more men did this after they divorce.

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