Throughout this blog series, we have been reviewing the principles that make marriage work as theorized by John Gottman. If you have accomplished the first six principles, more than likely you have a happy and stable marriage. As a reminder, those first six principles are: Building Love Maps, Nurturing Your Fondness and Admiration, Turning Toward [...]
What happens when you and your partner have irreconcilable differences? Does it mean the relationship is doomed? Does it mean you can agree to disagree? Gridlock in relationships happen when both partners are unable to understand their partner’s perspective, and instead, lock into their position while viewing their partner as more and more [...]
There are two types of marital conflict in relationships: perpetual problems and solvable problems. Perpetual problems are disagreements that will be a part of your lives forever in some form or another. Whereas solvable problems can be resolved. The key is to identify which conflicts fall into which category. Learn More About [...]
“One of the saddest reasons an intimate relationship dies is that neither partner recognizes its value until it is too late….....it is taken for granted rather than given the nurturing and respect it deserves and desperately needs” (Gottman). How can you tell if you are on the road to separation? Gottman states he [...]
According to Gottman, “In marriage, couples are always making “bids” for each others attention, affection, humor, or support”. Essentially making “bids” means you are reaching out to your partner in order to connect. Bids happen every day, and can be large or small. Bids are evidence of turning toward your partner which is [...]