“I WANT MY WIFE TO BE HAPPY.”
Almost to a man when I ask my clients what they want, I hear, “I want my wife to be happy.” And they truly do. It’s great to do things that will increase her positive feelings. But making her happiness the standard by which your marriage is judged is problematic.
A good marriage is one that takes both of you into account. Only focusing on her—what she wants, needs, desires–makes things lopsided.
I’m all about saying “yes” to her as often as you can. It builds up the balance in her love bank. But it is equally important that she does the same for you. Anyone with a low or negative balance in their love bank is going to feel unloved and unimportant. Not great feelings for a healthy relationship.
The readily accepted “happy wife, happy life” and it’s cousin “if Momma ain’t happy ain’t nobody happy” flips the idea of a relationship being about two people on its head.
I’m not going to lie. There’s a certain gratification in everything being about you. But it can lead to a sense of entitlement and a one-sidedness that is not about being in relationship.
If it’s believed that only her happiness matters, where does that leave you?
I’m reminded of my client Sam (not his real name) whose marriage became sexless within the first year. I’m not talking about sex occasionally.
I’m talking about no sex.
Ever!
No affection either. For over 20 years!
And Sam’s wife refused to talk about it. Any time Sam would broach the subject, she would become uncomfortable. It was hard and it didn’t make her happy. So there would be no discussion and nothing would change.
Now this is an extreme example. Most people wouldn’t stay in a marriage under these conditions. But what are you conceding to make your wife happy?
Again, I have no problem with couples doing things simply to please each other. It’s mutual and that is what relationships and love are about. But it’s not a one-way street commanded by the “Great They” that she’s the only who matters.
Including yourself in your marriage is not selfish. Nor should it be considered a source of unhappiness for your wife. In a strong relationship your happiness should be as important as hers.
She should want for you what you want for her—to feel loved, accepted, and important.
If your sole goal is to “appease the goddess” at all times in all things, you will eventually stop respecting yourself (and, believe it or not, so will she.)
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READ
Bad Marriage Advice #1: Beware Who Is Giving the Advice
Bad Marriage Advice #2: Don’t Go to Bed Angry
Bad Marriage Advice #3: It’s Okay to Fight But You Need to Learn to Fight ‘Fair’
Bad Marriage Advice #4: If You’re Not Fighting One of You Is Hiding Something
Bad Marriage Advice #5: If You’re Going to Fight, Fight Naked
Bad Marriage Advice #6: Marriage Takes Hard Work
Bad Marriage Advice #7: Marriage Requires Compromise
Bad Marriage Advice #8 – Marriage Requires Sacrifice
Bad Marriage Advice #9: Marriage Is 50/50
Bad Marriage Advice #10: If You’re Not Happy in Your Marriage, You Should Leave
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Previously Published on The Hero Husband Project
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