May tends to the be a month filled with events – graduations, Mother’s Day, weddings, Memorial Day Weekend. Before you know it, every weekend has a scheduled event.

So with all this busyness, are you paying attention to your spouse?

Time is consumed with a long list of things to do – buying gifts, ordering flowers, preparing your home for guests. During these times, it’s easy to forget one of the most important relationship – the one with your spouse.

Through my work with couples going through a divorce, it’s obvious why their marriage no longer works. They didn’t spend time nurturing their relationship. They were busy doing things for and with other people. They were not giving their spouse enough attention.  

Some people tend to take their spouse for granted. I often hear “I thought she would always be there.” Yes, we do want to believe our spouse will always be there but we have to give them a reason to stay. Everyone wants to feel valued.    

It’s easy to show your spouse you value them. You don’t need to be elaborate with your effort. You only need to be consistent. Here are some ideas to try:

Tell your spouse something positive daily – perhaps why you love them. Hearing a positive comment reinforces their value.

Help your spouse with a daily task WITHOUT being asked to help. The key is to jump in and just do it. You’ll be letting your spouse know you recognize their workload.

Plan to do something together – go for a walk, cook dinner together, sit on the porch.

Everyone wants to feel valued. It’s easy to become absorbed with life and forget about your spouse. But it’s also easy to take time to express to your spouse how you value them. Click here to receive our monthly email filled with tips for your money + life.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Niv Persaud

Niv Persaud, CFP®, CDFA™, CRPC®, is the Founder of Transition Planning & Guidance, LLC. Life is more than money. It’s about living the lifestyle you want and can afford. For that reason, Niv consults with clients on money, life and work. Her approach capitalizes on techniques she learned throughout her career, including as a management consultant, executive recruiter and as a financial advisor. Her clients tend to be going through a major life transition (new graduate, marriage, growing family, divorce, widow/er, empty nest, etc.). Her services include spending plan, financial plan, divorce financial review, life strategy and professional progression. Niv actively gives back to her community through her volunteer efforts. She believes in living life to the fullest by cherishing friendships, enjoying the beauty of nature and laughing often — even at herself. Her favorite quote is by Erma Bombeck, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say ‘I used everything you gave me’.”