A marriage succeeds to the extent that the husband can accept influence from his wife. A husband's ability to be persuaded by his wife is so critical because, research shows, women are already well practiced at accepting influence from men, and a true partnership only occurs when a husband is able to do so as well. Happy couples had high standards for each other even as newlyweds. The most successful couples are those who, even as newlyweds, refused to accept hurtful behavior from one another. The lower the level of tolerance for bad behavior in the beginning of a relationship, the happier the couple is down the road.
Successful couples know how to exit an argument.
Happy couples know how to repair the situation before an argument gets completely out of control. Focus on the bright side. A good marriage must have a rich climate of positivity. Make deposits to your emotional bank account. John and Julie Gottman and located in Seattle, Washington, provides educational materials and workshops for therapists.