o Understand the differing aspects of a relationship and

how these aspects can help create a healthy relationship.

o Examine ways to maintain a connection with your partner

when going through an argument.

o Understand the causal factors of failed relationships and

how to prevent them from having an effect on your

relationship.

o Communication

o Trust & Respect

o Team Approach

o Dealing with Problems

Communication is of key importance in making any relationship

work.

o Listen to your partner.

o Avoid putting blame on individuals or making judgments.

o Do not let your emotions dictate your behavior.

o Do not make assumptions.

o If you’re having a problem with something, talk about it!

Maintaining trust throughout is key to having a strong

relationship.

o Create an environment where your partner can be open, honest,

and genuine with you.

o In return, be open, honest and genuine with your partner.

o Avoid criticism of each other’s feelings, opinions or beliefs.

o Treat your partner with the respect that you wish to receive!

o When issues arise, always remember that you and your

partner are on the same team!

o Support each other and work together.

o Relationships aren’t meant to be a tug-of-war!

o Conflict is natural in relationships!

o When a problem arises between you and your partner,

deal with it as soon as possible.

o Address differences one at a time.

o Ignoring problems makes them build up until one of you

explodes.

o Don’t hold grudges! Work through a problem and if you

want to stick with your partner, you must let it go.

o Issues involving expectations.

o Not showing respect for changes that

occur.

o Not accepting differences.

o Not recognizing your

boundaries.

o Set expectations that can realistically be met by your

partner.

o Make your expectations for your partner known.

Communicate them clearly!

Dealing with expectations in a productive way could

include:

1. Agreeing upon how much time and how that time will be

spent together.

2. Being aware of the wants and needs of your partner.

o Anticipate that changes between you and your partner will

occur!

o A relationship won’t be the same a couple years down the

line as it was a couple months into the relationship initially.

o Respect, value, and understand these changes. They are

healthy and can be expected.

o If you wish to change certain aspects of your relationship,

communicate those changes with your partner. Often times,

change can create a healthier and happier relationship.

o Let’s face it, you and your partner are not going to agree

on everything.

o Your partner is going to have their own friends, hobbies,

opinions, routines, etc.

o Don’t try to force your partner to eliminate those

differences. We can’t change everything about someone we

may not like completely.

o Realize that the differences between you and your

partner can be stimulating to your relationship.

o Boundaries are mostly action-oriented instead of verbal communication.

o Having no boundaries means you accept everything, which should not be the case! You have to decide what is acceptable and

unacceptable in your relationship.

Some examples of possible boundaries:

• “He said last time was the last time and that he would never cheat on me again. But I caught him with another woman again.”

• “She tried initiate something at a party, but I rejected her advances.”