https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 18 Apr 2026 06:30:52 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-strengthening-marriage#post-2749531 Tue, 20 Jun 2017 06:26:42 +0000 littlebug 2749531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Gin: Oh, I actually think that might be it! So, not a book! Thanks! </p> <p>@travelingnanny: @muffinsmuffins: Hee hee, you guys posted the same link. That's not what I was thinking of, but those are also good questions. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-strengthening-marriage#post-2749014 Mon, 19 Jun 2017 07:10:10 +0000 littlebug 2749014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: Yes, 4yo and 16 months. So hard. Especially because the 16mo is very needy. </p> <p>@Adira: @travelingnanny: I'd love to do this, but there is no time or money for it right now. As it is, I'm seeing a counselor myself and we have D (the 4yo) in therapy. Taking a day off of work every month is simply not feasible (neither one of us gets enough vacation time to do that), and I already feel like I'm taking advantage of my super flexible manager. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-strengthening-marriage#post-2749011 Mon, 19 Jun 2017 06:15:54 +0000 Adira 2749011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've been in counseling and doing the Couples Therapy Workbook, which is great. It has a ton of set questions that you ask each other and can talk about. I love it!</p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Couples-Therapy-Workbook-Kathleen-Mates-Youngman/dp/1937661466/" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Couples-Therapy-Workbook-Kathleen-Mates-Youngman/dp/1937661466/</a></p> <p>@travellingbee: We go to counseling during the day when the kids are in daycare. We just take off one day a month (we were doing twice a month to start) and go in the morning. Then we dedicate the rest of the day to hanging out (going to the movies or out to eat). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-strengthening-marriage#post-2748924 Sun, 18 Jun 2017 15:22:42 +0000 travellingbee 2748924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the same issues and frankly one of us is always sick and we are avoiding close contact to stop the constant spread of germs. (Daycare illnesses are killing us right now.) It's easy to get into this rut. We are kind of in the thick of the tough years with a 4 year old and 18 month old so I know it will get better. We get along great and partner well together, we just don't spend enough quality alone time together.<br /> @travelingnanny: Going to a couples therapist sounds helpful in theory but getting a babysitter so we can go together sounds both expensive and stressful. :( glad it's working for y'all, though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-strengthening-marriage#post-2748923 Sun, 18 Jun 2017 15:16:58 +0000 Gin 2748923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i;ve been meaning to order this. </p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/TABLETOPICS-Couples-Questions-Start-Conversations/dp/B000FN69PC/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1497816958&#038;sr=1-1&#038;keywords=table+topics+couples" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/TABLETOPICS-Couples-Questions-Start-Conversations/dp/B000FN69PC/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1497816958&#038;sr=1-1&#038;keywords=table+topics+couples</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-strengthening-marriage#post-2748922 Sun, 18 Jun 2017 15:12:30 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2748922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not sure if this is what you mean but this is a pretty good list of interesting questions:<br /> <a href="https://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/fashion/no-37-big-wedding-or-small.html" rel="nofollow">https://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/fashion/no-37-big-wedding-or-small.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-strengthening-marriage#post-2748921 Sun, 18 Jun 2017 15:11:27 +0000 travelingnanny 2748921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Where you thinking of the 36 questions that lead to love quiz? Even if this wasn't what you were looking for it does have some fun questions. </p> <p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/fashion/no-37-big-wedding-or-small.html?mcubz=0&#038;_r=0" rel="nofollow">https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/fashion/no-37-big-wedding-or-small.html?mcubz=0&#038;_r=0</a></p> <p>Ps. by exercises at the end of the book it is mostly quizzes that you answer t/f and then see what your SO answers and compare/ talk about your answers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-strengthening-marriage#post-2748920 Sun, 18 Jun 2017 15:06:49 +0000 travelingnanny 2748920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I are going to couples counseling and I can't recommend it enough. It has really helped us, especially in the communication department. Right now we are using the 10 Lessons to Transform You Marriage by John Gottman and Julie Schwartz and it is a really great book. There are some chapters that I thought wouldn't apply to us but I have learned something from every chapter we have read so far. They use couples from real life that have real issue and help them get through whatever they are working on. At the end of each chapter there are exercises for you and your spouse to do together. This books has really helped us. We each got our own copy. </p> <p>Additionally we have also fallen into a rut where we zone out to the TV after work + are on our phones. It is so hard when you work a ton but we are really trying to break that habit. We have started playing games, doing puzzles, going on walks, riding our bikes, and in general trying to find other things to do. We are definitely trying to put our phones away once we get home from work. </p> <p>Our therapist is also encouraging us to date each other. My husband was in charge of planning a surprise date which is something he's never done. It was so much fun. He remembered this random little restaurant I've really wanted to try and then we hit up some farmers stands to stock up on fresh fruits and veggies. It was super simple but very thoughtful. I'm so excited to go bowling when it is my turn to plan a date. I know that's harder + more expensive when you have kids but it will be worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-strengthening-marriage#post-2748919 Sun, 18 Jun 2017 14:56:55 +0000 wrkbrk 2748919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlebug: Totally relate. We don't do anything together these days - even watch tv because we don't like any of the same shows! :(</p> <p>Sitting outside on the deck with a drink is a great idea. Following in case someone posts the questions you mentioned! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-strengthening-marriage#post-2748913 Sun, 18 Jun 2017 14:23:32 +0000 Mrs. Oreo 2748913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following also! Our intimacy lately has been centered on TTC. Often times we're watching TV together but DH is playing game apps on his phone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-strengthening-marriage#post-2748907 Sun, 18 Jun 2017 14:01:28 +0000 babypugs 2748907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not exactly what you're asking, but when we need to reconnect we drink wine and play Skip-Bo. It doesn't require a ton of thinking so you can chat, and the wine opens up all kinds of discussions and memories. I'm interested in what everyone has to say! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-strengthening-marriage#post-2748904 Sun, 18 Jun 2017 13:58:45 +0000 GoGoSnoGirl 2748904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following. Sounds like a great idea. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-strengthening-marriage#post-2748903 Sun, 18 Jun 2017 13:56:30 +0000 littlebug 2748903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't seem to find the post, but I know on one of the marriage posts, someone (I think even a few someones) had suggested a set of questions that they ask their partners to open communication and recreate some intimacy in their relationship. I was wondering if someone could find the original post or repeat the suggestion? Hubs and I are dedicating one night of the week to NOT sit next to each other on the couch and stare blankly at the tv in silence. We've gotten into a rut and I was beginning to feel like we were drifting apart. We like board games, and in the summer we love to sit out back on the patio with music playing and talk. I thought those relationship questions would be a good way to open up a dialogue about something other than the kids and work. </p> <p>And if anyone has any other suggestions for non-tv-staring activities, I'll happily take them! </p>