5 Common Mistakes Men Make in Marriage

When I got married, I thought my wife would do everything like me. It
never occurred to me that my way wasn’t the best way or the only way.

In my mind, my life would be exactly the same with the exception of a
lovely addition—Susan. It didn’t take me long to realize she needed some
training in my ways. Susan is a people-pleaser and readily took my
constant correction as I tried to mold her into a mini-me.

It also didn’t take long for the criticism to crush her spirit. What followed was two years of frustration as I struggled to learn how to love my wife for who she is and appreciate that her differences compliment me.

Guys, mistakes are, by definition, unintentional. More often than
not, we aren’t thoughtless; we just don’t think like our wives want or
need us to think. Here are 5 common mistakes men make in marriage and
what can be done about it.

1. Don’t think of the needs of their wife.

You schedule a date night with your wife. Good job! However, you wait
until you are walking out of the door to say, “What do you feel like
doing?” Don’t do it. Plan ahead. Make a reservation at your wife’s favorite restaurant. Call the babysitter yourself. You will get an “A” for effort!

2. Don’t listen.

Don’t assume you know what your wife is going to say. Don’t tune her out because you have heard it all before. Just listen with your ears and your eyes. In other words, give her your full attention.

3. Don’t understand their wife.

Like many men, you try to “fix” problems rather than understand what your wife is feeling. Sometimes, she just wants you to feel what she
feels without giving advice and without trying to fix it. When I’m not
sure, I’ll often say to my wife, “Do you want my advice on this or do
you just want me to listen?”
Sometimes, she just wants you to feel what she feels without giving advice and without trying to fix it.

4. Don’t know their wife.

Do you remember getting to know your wife when you were dating? When was the last time you just spent time talking with her, not to her? Ask
what her dreams are; where she would like to go on vacation; what good book she has read lately.

5. Don’t confide in their wife.

Your wife wants to be included in your entire world. Confide in
her—your dreams; your work; your life. Your marriage bond will only be
strengthened.