Test Your Marriage IQ

Most of us harbor some false beliefs about what it takes to keep love alive and ho to tell if a relationship is in trouble. Here are some common myths that often lead couples astray, and the truths that spouses need to know if they want to keep their marriage strong.

1. Myth: Opposites make good partners. Spouses who are very different complement, each other. Truth: Great relationships are founded on identical values.
2. Myth: Love alone will carry couples through hard times. Truth: Shared values pull couples through crises.
3. Myth: You need to work on your marriage if you want it to be good. Truth: Relationships don’t have problems people do, we need to work on ourselves.
4. Myth: Self-sacrifice and unlimited giving are the heart of a good relationship. Truth: Setting clear limits and boundaries fosters mutual respect and a strong, lasting marriage
5. Myth: You should accept a mate’s problem behaviors without complaint. Truth: if you don’t make demands on your partner, it means you don’t really care.
6. Myth: Frequent conflicts indicate a marriage is in trouble. Truth: willingness to engage in conflict shows spouses are willing to work to improve their marriage.
7. Myth: It’s important for couples to spend a lot of time together. Truth: in good marriages, partners enjoy intimacy even while leading busy lives.
8. Myth: Knowing you can trust your mate is critical to a good marriage. Truth: It’s knowing you can trust yourself that’s essential