When our expectations for our spouse become unreasonable, we are really setting our marriages up to falter and maybe even fail. Here are some unfair expectations wives should avoid. First, that he will always “Get You.” My wife, Susan, sometimes says…“You just don’t get me.” And she’s right. As a man, I don’t think like Susan and don’t always understand how she’s feeling even when I try. The second unfair...

We’ve heard more than once that men crave respect—especially from their wives.  But I think it’s important that we define what sort of respect men are looking for.  So women, here are some respect needs of men.  First, respect his judgment.  Men crave to know that their wife deeply respects the things that make up his judgment: his knowledge, his opinions, and his decisions.  Second, respect his abilities.  This...

We all know that there is a gap between men and women—a gap filled with different desires, different strengths, and different styles of communicating.  So to help bridge that gap in your marriage, here are 5 things husbands wish their wives knew.  First, we desire clarity.  Give us the bottom line of what you need, not a lot of words. Then, we’ll be more likely to do it.  Second, we desire validation.  We want to...

Remember Connect the Dots? It’s the kid’s game where you draw a line from dot to dot until a bigger picture is made.  Like this game, some guys like me need to be led from dot to dot if you want us to get big things done.  So here are 6 ways to connect the dots and get your husband to do what you want.  First, ask them.  Men aren’t as intuitive as women, so we need to be told the bottom line of what you want...

Just like your physical heart has four chambers that need to be consistently filled with life-giving blood, there are four emotional chambers of every man’s heart that need to be filled as well.  Here are the four chambers. Chamber 1, Validation. Validate his value, his gifts, his worthiness, and his manliness. A husband really does want his wife to see him as her superman, a man who can “leap tall buildings in a...

It's no mystery…many women enjoy shopping as an “experience.”  On the other hand, most men shop with the "hunter" mentality…get what you need, as quickly as you can, and get back to your cave.  With these two polar opposite mindsets, shopping together can be frustrating…if you let it.  So, what’s the solution?  Look at shopping with your wife as a date…a way to spend time with her.  When you’re shopping with her,...

Well, maybe you’re not saying what he wants to hear.  What your husband craves are words of praise and validation from the most important person in his life.  There are 10 things your husband wants to hear from you.  Number one… “I love being your wife.”  Number two… “You’re an outstanding father.”  Three… “I’m really attracted to you.  You are the Man!”  Four… “I really respect the decision you made.”  For the...