Times of high stress often bring conflict at home. Here are some weekend tips to keep you (and your significant other) in a solid place as the election approaches, and for a long time down the road.

A relationship thread not for the timid. 1/

Have the Hard Conversations. All those things you *never* want to talk about…well, you’d better start talking about them. And *listening* to their responses and concerns. Don’t pass things off because it’s easy…because those things will show themselves again down the road. 2/

Show Affection. You might know you love your partner, but you should also be showing it all the time. Especially in times of stress. Touch them tenderly, kiss them regularly, say loving things…they should know you love them by your actions. 3/

Fight Right. You’re not always going to agree, but attacking each other will kill a relationship.

Wrong approach: positioning conflict as “me vs. you."
Right approach: “both of us vs. the problem!” Personal attacks when angry, fracture trust over time. 4/

Laugh…Often. Being light-hearted about the every day things can make life a whole lot easier. Don't make it so serious all the time - learn to find humor in things and make each other laugh.

Humor builds great momentum. 5/

Be Stable & Steady. Someone they can count on no matter what.

In an unpredictable world, be their rock. 6/

Learn the Other Person’s Expectations. What do *they* expect from you, what do *you* expect from them...and how does that line up?

People are upset because their partner doesn’t do something specific, that they never knew you wanted/needed them to do that in the first place. 7/

Have No Ego. You don’t need yourself to “win,” you want your “team” to win.

Be willing to make compromises and not have to have it your way all the time. Give up the rigidity for a far more peaceful and happy home. 8/

Trust them. Boundaries are big, and you have to recognize that though you are in a relationship, they are also a separate person.

Don’t search their phones, or demand their passwords. If you don’t trust them, that lack of trust is an issue to address immediately. 9/

Dream Together. Talk about common goals, wishes, wants. Be actively working on a future that you are both excited about and going in the same direction.

Dreaming keeps optimism and momentum as a couple - be excited together about something. 10/

Be Willing to Self-Examine, Apologize, & Correct. Are you sometimes too harsh? Did you mess up?

Be willing to self-examine and quickly own your mistakes. Take responsibility when you’re not right and be someone who works hard to remedy the situation when at fault. 11/

Be Respectful, Always. Don’t ever demean or belittle your partner, even when you’re angry...and don't tolerate it yourself.

Making someone feel badly in the moment might feel like a release, but they’ll remember it…even after they’ve “forgiven” you. 12/

Talk about Money. Financial struggles come to a lot of people...especially in crisis.

Sit down, track it, and make it objective - not a blame game. How do you each spend? Save? Invest? Prioritize? These things are important…so be on the same page. 13/

Be The Loudest Cheerleader. Support them..and they should support you.

Be the cheerleader of their ambitions, hopes, and goals. Want the best for them, get excited for them, and be involved. Ask questions, be curious, and be pumping them up! 14/

Happy, healthy, well-adjusted couples have a lot in common...and as the pandemic rages and the election approaches, the things that ground us all could sometimes use a refresh.

Use the weekend to take one thing from the list that could use some focus, and give it a go. 15/fin