Quiz time: after you get the kids to bed, what do you and your husband do? Do a little pick-up and then crash on the couch? Is it basically the same thing five nights a week at least? Yeah, that's a relationship rut and I have been in one, many of my mommy friends say the same thing. Maybe there is a date night thrown in here or there, but you talk about the same things day in and day out.
You didn't have a rut when you were dating, but things have changed, marriages evolve, so we can't expect it to be just like when we first got together, but that doesn't mean you have to be in a blocked pattern of behavior. All of the relationship gurus say mini changes can really make your relationship fresh and lively again.
-- Do one little thing a day to give a smile to your spouse. Whether you text him a funny joke or shoot him an email to a hilariously insane cat video, just break up each other's day with a grin.
-- Remember why you fell in love. Think about how he attracted you with his wit or his mad basketball skills or his quirky way he would bring you flowers.
-- Do something different. Play Checkers or Scrabble once a week. Go to a concert. Read the same book and talk about it. Something small and simple can liven up anything.
-- Ask something different. Instead of the usual talk about the kids or work, ask something new. Can be anything from thoughts on world events or what he thinks about aliens -- just inject some new conversation topics into your daily communication and see what you find out about each other.
Do you ever feel in a relationship rut with your spouse? How to you shake things up?
©iStockphoto.com/ sguler
Great ideas! I'm so tired I go to bed at the same time as the kids, so Yes, we're in a rut as we never see each other alone.
That's a good way to put it. :-)
Quoting elasmimi:I like to call it comfortable, after 40 years.
I agree with this, we are comfortable and that can be very nice
Quoting elasmimi:I like to call it comfortable, after 40 years.
Right now I would like to Shake the Crap out of him!
I don't think we are in a rut despite us talking about the same things most days. We talk about what interests us. We have enough common interests that it isn't hard to find things to discuss.
We do try to sit down & watch movies together. We've gotten into Downton Abbey, so looking forward to the next episode & discussing the previous one does add a little something.
exactly - but it's only been 13yrs for us
Quoting elasmimi:I like to call it comfortable, after 40 years.
- HeatherNYC
on Feb. 7, 2013 at 12:00 AM