How to Make Your Marriage Last

Marriage is not just  saying "I do" in front of God. It is a commitment of  two people with each other. To last forever is one of the biggest challenges marriage will  ever face. It will be a tough commitment, but for a couple who believe that marriage will last longer no matter what  will survive longer than those who don't fully believe in the concept of  forever. But sometimes, falling out of love is out of control. We might wake up one morning not in love with one another or just simply fell out of love.

To make a lasting marriage, the couples should know how to work with it. There is no such thing as one way relationship. This kind of marriage will not survive in a long run. It does need a lot of patience and understanding. Fighting is normal as long as it don't end in  hurting each other. Anger is a healthy emotion as long as you both know how to accept your mistakes, apologize and move on.

A healthy relationship can speak honestly with each other, no lies, no secrets. Marriage is give and take, both need to help around the house no matter how busy each other in their job. Don't stop surprising each other, small or big thing can be a surprise everyday. We don't need an anniversary or occasion to show love with each other. Everyday  can be a special day for the partners. It is normal to be abnormal once in a while. Keep things fun by making your partner laugh and feel love with your natural act like silly song and dance.

If you have any of these things, your relationship will last for a long time.

The Story behind the Father Who Abandoned by Daughters

Napoleon Timonera got what he wants when the so called hunger strike caught  the public attention. His story and photos were shared in Facebook as te father who begged not only for money but for public sympathy as an abandoned father. A father who was reaching to  the public to  help him get in touch with his 4 daughters. According to Napoleon, they abandoned him and did not receive any financial support. He worked hard as an Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) to send them to school and now that he is old and can no longer support himself, he needs financial help to survive. And if ever he dies, his body should be sent to one of his daughters.

Not Funny Video: Toddler argues with mom over cupcakes

Linda Beltran, posted on YouTube his 3 year old son Mateo, arguing with her over a cupcake. The video has gone viral and has more than 2 million views. It is adorable  to some, outrageous to others. As a mom, I can say that this is not funny at all. How can a mom let his children argue with her that way. He talks as if he is the parent talking to a child, I bet this is how his dad talks to the mom in front of the children. Monkey see monkey do.

Get Involved in Your Child's Education

Child's education depends on parents but sadly most of them do not take an active role in their education. There is a good impact for children's performance in school when parents are involved in their studies. They will be more motivated toward school and get better grades and test scores, enjoy learning, improve their skills, graduate from high school at higher rates, go on to higher education, and have more positive attitudes, develop self-esteem  and confidence in themselves and be better prepared for the future.

Never Judge Anyone

I just read a very touching story that touched my heart. The father of the dying patient was so mad to the doctor for being late for the operation. It is a matter of life and death but the doctor came in calm and did what he is supposed to do to save the patient. After the successful operation, he came out to inform the father the good news, and told him to ask the nurse for some information and hurriedly ran out of the hospital. The father thought of him as an arrogant doctor until he learned about the Doctors burden to the nurse.

Share Your Shining Moments

One guy made a surprised video for his girlfriend of  9 years. According to the him, "I'm doing this for Iya because she doesn't expect anything grand from me, it's always like a little things". Then the rest is all about the notes, "roses are red, violates are blue." hanged all over the room. The video looks like a real sweet
gesture from the boyfriend. Some girls who watched the video even said, "super kilig." Really?

Parenting: A Never-Ending Responsibility

What is a parent? Everyone have their own definition or understanding of what a parent is or should be. Our meaning to it largely depends on our own beliefs, orientation or sometimes our own experiences in life. Even our society or the media in particular would try to instill in us their own definition of a parent. Because of this, the definition of parent has become somewhat tainted and obscured.

Signs of a Troubled Relationship

   

                                                                                              photo by: Nur Emir

How do you know when the relationship is in trouble? Do we need help to save it or just say goodbye and walk away? Some couples wait too long to ask for help. They were hoping that the relationship can be repair and strengthened  if they give it a time and consideration  too long until  it is already beyond repair. The sooner we sought for help the better chance of  recovering. The longer we wait, the chance and hope for a change is lost. At a certain point we don't even want change anymore. We just want it to be done and get a new life.

Here are the warning signs that a relationship is in trouble :

1. There is no more intimacy in your relationship. No more sweet kisses, both of you were sleeping in different rooms, you do talk but will only end up into anger.
2. Fighting has been a part of your life. There are always reasons to hurt each others feeling as the days pass by.
3. No more attraction. You even can't remember what attracted you to your partner. The thought that he/she was the most amazing man/woman you have ever met was gone.
4. You spend little time with each other. You feel better with other people. Friends are more important than going out with your partner.
5. There is a feeling that the relationship is over but you don't know where to go or how to start all over again.
6. You feel lonely even if he is around trying to make you happy. You don't care about how much he tries to make you happy anymore.
7. You find comfort, understanding and care to other people.
8. You don't want to talk about your plans and thoughts with him.
9. You hate to see his/her face or even hear the once sweetest voice you ever heard in your entire life.
10. You lost interest with his activities.
11. When you no longer worry where your partner's at.

So before you reach the critical point or something more drastic things happen such as physical and or verbal abuse, look at the warning signs and do something before it's too late. Talk to a religious adviser or a leader of your church. Seek  a marriage counselor or a psychotherapy. Someone who has a Christian counseling degree may be able to help you. Reading books will help too. Without help, the relationship will not get better and might become worse. Take immediate action to save the relationship and if all things done and nothing has changed then that is the time to walk away and say goodbye.

Ways to Keep a Burning Relationship

                                 photo by: Nur Emir

1. Sweet Kiss -.Show your love early in the morning by kissing ,who cares about the bad breathe and don't fall asleep without connecting with each other.A good night kiss is a show of love and who knows it might go into something more romantic and intimate.Keep on kissing your partner not only before and after going to bed but anytime you want to inside your house or even in public if you can.

2.Change the Routine - We usually do same thing everyday like eating together ,watch tv,etc .Why not break the routine,instead of just eating together ,why not lit a candle for a romantic dinner or do something sexy while watching tv  with lighted scented candles or sit together over the roof watching the moon kiss the night.

3.Date occassionaly- Since when was you last date ? It's been ages I guess .Yeah ,we don't have time for this anymore,kids are multiplying and growing.You are on a tight  budget and no time for other activities that will cost you money.Don't let your family life ruin your lovelife together. Do something,have a date once a month ,it doesn't matter what you do.Dress up together for a restaurant dinner.A walk in the park ,ball game,something that is different from your usual activities.

4. A proper greetings - Little gesture like meeting your partner at the door from work with a smile and kiss makes a big difference.Don't just yell on the other room and ask how's his day .A romantic gesture will go along way.

5.No occassion messages- Now that text messaging and Facebook plays a big part in our lives  there is no reason for us not to get connected with our love ones .A text message at the middle of the day  is so simple yet very powerful.Knowing that you were thinking of him/her is one way of showing that you care.

6. A surprise note- Everybody loves surprises .A simple note saying how much you love him/her or he'll be missed at his absence.A simple but meaningful notes really adds spice to your relationship.You can put a handwritten note  in his/her briefcase or purse.

7.Be there even if you are apart- Keep the fire burning.If your better half is on a bussiness trip or traveling alone,keep a note at his brief case and a text mesagges from time to time aside from the regular calls.It would be nice to know that he /she is safe somewhere and will stop you from worrying a lot too.