Fun & Away Together: Recent Episodes
Liz Waweru
Travel is a fun way to help reconnect with your spouse. On the Fun & Away Together podcast, pointers from previous couple's getaways are shared on ways to strengthen and enjoy your marriage....and ultimately have fun together with your spouse! Because if you can't have fun with your spouse, then who else?Follow & Like the Instagram and Facebook pages: @funandawaytogether for some thought provoking quotes on building up your marriage as well as some information on exciting getaways lined up.Whatever you do together, Keep it Fun!
From a 3.48mins snippet of a conversation on RadioMaria Nairobi with Adah Tanui, an up and coming Gen Z lady, do you think Generation Z have limited or next to zero patience for being one with one person in marriage for a lifetime? Let me know your thoughts in the comments....
relationshipsnippets
Whatever you do together....Keep it fun! @funandawaytogether - Facebook & Instagram
The Mundias are best friends, married for 22 years & counting. They are blessed with 6 children and have their family motto as: “Unitate in Caritas” (United in Love).
Conflict is common in married life - how do we resolve it in our day-to- day marital life? The Mundias share with such simplicity and at the same time deep insights into how to do this. I invite you to listen to this and learn more.
Whatever you do together....Keep it fun! @funandawaytogether - Facebook & Instagram
Grieving is defined as one's personal response towards the loss of someone or something. There are types of grief and different ways to process these kinds of grief. What matters is that one is patient with themselves and does not give themselves any undue pressure of "what they should be feeling, by when". The ministry of presence can also be very helpful if one wonders how to comfort a person who is going through loss. Learn this and much more in this episode's conversation with Judy Chege who gives some insights into grieving which can help you or a loved during loss, an experience which we all go through at one point in our lives.
Judy also runs a Care Givers Support Group and can be reached on +254 700 800 598 for more information on this.
Whatever you do together....Keep it fun! @funandawaytogether - Facebook & Instagram
Raising a special needs child is not easy...Jane Gitau opens her heart on raising an autistic child. Her openness in sharing her story is encouraging to anyone on the same journey and acts as an eye opener to those looking to understand a bit better on raising a special needs child.
Whatever you do together....Keep it fun! @funandawaytogether - Facebook & Instagram
Addiction rarely shows up one day as an addiction ....what stages does one then go through for a behavior for it to become an addiction? I invite you to listen to this conversation with Chris Lyimo, a counselling psychologist, a returning guest who talks about the stages of addiction.
Whatever you do together....Keep it fun! @funandawaytogether - Facebook & Instagram
At the beginning of the year, a discussion was held on setting the tone for the year on thinking about some things to do intentionally in your marriage in 2024 that will build up your marriage....we are now at the half year mark....how are you progressing on these resolutions? If you did not have a chance to set up some ideas including from Catherine Nyiha - A Marriage Coach, a previous guest on the show....it's not all lost! listen in to get some ideas to end the year with ......Finish 2024 strong!
*the conversation is held in Kiswahili
Whatever you do together....Keep it fun! @funandawaytogether - Facebook & Instagram
Do you find yourself creating stories in your head in experiences vs dealing with the facts at hand? And especially in your relationship with your spouse?
Then today’s conversation would be something you would be interested in listening to.....
Whatever you do together....Keep it fun! @funandawaytogether - Facebook & Instagram
Chris Lyimo candidly speaks about addiction by defining what it is and its effects on a spouse and loved ones. How can it be faced and especially by those who live with the person going through an addiction.
Listen in on a recorded radio discussion on Radio Maria Kenya, 107.3FM with 25 year old, Adah Tanui who is dating on preparing for marriage based on a book: "Success in Marriage" by Jane M Kiura.
Jane Gitau, Counselling Psychologist gives an idea on navigating marriage life while discerning the nature vs nurture which have shaped your spouse's personality.
Pastors Kamau & Judith Achieng Karanja have been married for 26 years, are parents to two boys, entrepreneurs and in full time ministry for the last 28 years, talk about....."The Power of One"
Jane Gitau, a Psychologist & a Specialist in Marriage, Trauma & Addiction talks about the considerations to have while being a caregiver to your spouse.
In this episode, a review of the book: Success in Marriage by Jane M Kiura is done from the perspective of the "Do's & Dont's before Marriage. Are you planning to get married or know someone who is planning to get married? Listen in for some great tips from Mrs Kiura!
How can one go about making sure that they have a successful marriage??? Is there a "right time" to get married? These and more are discussed in a brief interview during the celebration of the World Marriage earlier in February this year.
Listen in as Patricia busts the myth that married couples are dull and boring by explaining how her company - Fun Team Africa organizes fun, wholesome events and activities that are frequented by not just the single and fun un-attached people but the married folk too!
Listen in to a recorded conversation on Radio Maria Kenya (www.radiomaria.co.ke) with Jane Gitau, a Marriage and Family therapist on what is strife in marriage and how to navigate it, whether young or old in marriage.... I invite you to listen to learn more.
Kiswahili, the Kenya National Language is used though the conversation is largely in English.
Ian; a husband, father, university lecturer with an interest in Applied Technology, Language & Communication elaborates more about the potential of technology in marriage....how it can be an enabler to enhance and grow your marriage rather than allowing it to rule you.
Judy a Wife, Mother, Counselling Psychologist, Life Skills Trainer, Author & Founder of “Light a Candle Counselling Services” talks about stress - what it is, what to look out for to know that you are stressed and its effect on a person and in turn their marriage.
An engaging conversation with Cecilia Munga, from Radio Maria Kenya, reviewing this book with simple yet 12 profound ways of enhancing & building up a marriage
Jane Gitau, a Specialist in Marriage & Family Therapy, Addiction & Trauma Therapy, Capacity Building, Mental Health & Wellness Training , talks about Guilt & Worry in Marriage. She can be reached on: +254 721 568 717
Betty Oloo, a Widow, Humanitarian, a Rotarian, a Community Leader, Lover of Sunsets, shares her Story of giving oneself with no limits to your spouse
Ian Wairua, a husband, father, university lecturer with an interest in Applied Technology, Language & Communication talks about the potential of technology in marriage and family....how distraction can lead to dependence and in turn addiction! ....listen in to learn more!
Dr Lucy Muturi, a psychologist with more than 10 years experience, with a focus on working with young adults talks about why it is important to evaluate the health of your marriage and the impact that has on your children.
I have a conversation with Jane Gitau, Psychologist, Certified Mediator, Specialist in Marriage, Trauma & Addiction talks about mid life crisis - “a period of emotional turmoil in middle age, characterized by a strong desire for change. As hosted on Radio Maria 107.3FM.
Rosemary Kamau has been married to Kamau for the last 31 years. She is a Communications Specialist, Speaker & an author of several books on Marriage and the Catholic faith.
Welcome to the first podcast of the year from a conversation on Radio Maria, Kenya, 107.3FM with John Akello, Creative and author of the book: "Creative Thinking" which gives useful & creative ways of engaging with your spouse and even with self.....a copy is available at 1k and can be downloaded via link below:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dapperjd.creativethinking
Pauline Kamau, a mother of 10 shares her story on the blessing of having a large family and the expectations and the areas of focus she and her husband have learned to keep over the years.
A conversation with Dr Daniel Njai, Pediatrician, Author, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Former Lecturer at University of Nairobi (UON) with over 40 years experience of training on Natural Family Planning (NFP) on NFP...what is it? myths & conceptions about it as well as its benefits to a married couple.
Listen in to my radio conversation on Radio Maria, 107.3FM with Catherine Nyiha, Wife, Mother of 6, Advocate of the High Court, Marriage Coach, Founder TACOH Coaching Services talks about what goes into making a marriage a high priority in order to keep the fire burning!
Such an awesome conversation with Jane Gitau, a psychologist, certified mediator, Specialist in Marriage, Trauma & Addiction...also a wife and mum!... on infidelity in marriage...the time was limiting...I look forward to having her back again!
Listen in on a conversation on the stages marriages go through with Grace & Barnabas Achoki, who are life coaches with counselling backgrounds. They have been married for 28 years while counselling couples for the last 20 years and are blessed with 3 children. They conduct joint marriage counselling sessions where issues are articulated clearly from both the husband and wife.
If interested in reaching out; reach Grace on: achokig@yahoo.com or Barnabas: 0733 554 493
After a 9 month "pause"....we are back! With a new season of episodes, I will be sharing conversations that I am having on Radio Maria on building up marriage & family life.
In this episode, I talk with Sharon Kung'u, founder of Families for Christ about being an intentional parent. What kind of future generation are we raising as parents?
Please support the program: paybill 320015, Account name: Your Name
www.radiomaria.co.ke (Nairobi station)
It's been 2 straight years of no breaks to have the weekly Fun & Away Podcast and now it's time to take a break :-)
Is marriage any different when you run a business together? Paul and Mary Gitari openly share their journey in marriage as business partners.
NFP....Natural Family Planning.... does it really work? Is it back dated and all about guess work? Listen in to check if this can be something that you could consider to build intimacy and communication in your marriage.
In your marriage is one of you employed and the other self employed? Then this conversation is for you. Joram Mwinamo an entrepreneur and his wife Grace, speak candidly about the effects of entrepreneurship on their 15 year marriage.
To get survey results on the impact of entrepreneurship on marriage, please send an email to entrepreneurshipandmarriage@gmail.com
How far reaching of an impact can a marriage have? I have this conversation with my niece, a Gen Z on what she has learnt from her grandparents' 50 year marriage and her generation's life views.
Terese Burihabwa, a widow shares her marriage journey which begun in Germany as a refugee from Burundi. A love story which intrigues and teaches much.
Having a supportive spouse has made all the difference in my journey as a Getaway Planner and now Marriage Builder. Listen to today's episode where my husband gives his perspective from the other side. Are you or your spouse an entrepreneur? If so, this will be worthwhile to listen to!
My mum recounts a period in their marriage when the vow: "In Sickness & In health" was truly tested... get encouraged as she shares her experience.
Are you still "bargaining" in your head about what you are or not entitled to in your marriage? Listen to today's podcast to learn this and more.
What practical things can you do to stay connected to each other? Ciku & Keva share what they do in their own marriage which has helped in their 17 year journey.... ideas in the new year on being intentional on staying connected with your spouse throughout the year.
Is there such a thing as an "exit clause" when things get thick in marriage? Listen to today's episode as Keva & Ciku Kanyottu, a married couple of 17 years in marriage, share their story on this.
If you cannot talk about sex with your spouse, there is a high likelihood that being open about finances is also an issue. Learn about this and what else a couple needs to be deliberate on in their marriage..... and more in today's episode.
Is it really such a bad idea to have sex before marriage???? Relationship Coach, Victor Salamba shares his insights on this question....
"What about me?" A lady asked this question at a recent bridal shower that I spoke.....so many women receive counsel on marriage yet do the men also get such counsel on how to treat their wives? Listen to today's podcast on this question and more.
Is it about guess work? or how deliberate can one be in marriage? I learn my parent's approach in their own marriage in my last part of the conversation with them....as they also share how they met :-)
What do you do with all those bottled up feelings about your spouse?.....mum & dad share the "about turn" that they experienced in their marriage when they learnt what to do....listen to learn this & more.
My parents openly share their journey over their last 50 years of marriage....Yeap! Half a century of marriage experience! Listen in to appreciate the wisdom gathered over the years.
True or False? As parents, children need to see you laughing together and enjoying each other's company. Children should be considered after your spouse, only then can they truly experience parental love....listen to find out the truth of the matter.
Are you involving your children in your marital affairs by making them a confidant? Are you making your first born child a parent to their younger siblings? Listen to today's episode to understand the impact these kinds of actions have on the children.
Parents are readily available to provide things, what of their presence? Listen to find out what young adults feel about this & how they frame their parents' relationship to each other as Dr Lucy Muturi shares her observations from her conversations with them.
Why is suicide on the rise among young people? I begin a conversation with Lucy Muturi, a psychologist who interacts with young adults and gives insights into how a couple's relationship and in turn with their children can influence their life positively or negatively.
You reap what you sow: time invested in children has immense benefits....learn this and more from the last part of Juliana's interview on the effects of parents' relationship on their children.
Learn what you do ....and what you don't do as a married couple affects your children as related by Julianna Murage a teacher close to 30 years.
Every man marries a woman with the illusion that they'll be best friends....women value being a wife more than being a friend to their husband....listen to today's episode to learn more on the different perspectives of wives & husbands in marriage and what to do about it.
A man does things to win...A woman becomes more attractive to her husband as she respects him more....learn this and more in this 1st of my 2 part conversation with Relationship Coach, Victor Salamba on marriage in modern times.
What happens if a wife earns more than her husband? In the last part of our conversation Rosemary shares some insights she learnt from a bank executive living this reality.
Find out what being a stay at home mum really means, a parent's role in choice of spouse by their child and mental health from my conversation with Rosemary Kamau in part 2 of a 3 part series on living out her life mission.
Can leading regular family life be one's life mission? Rosemary Kamau allows me into her life story of finding her own mission as we begin a 3 part series on "Living with a Mission".
What if I got married earlier, later? or what if my circumstances were different or what if I was married to someone else? This podcast is for you if you have been running through all the "what if" scenarios in your head about your marriage.
In today's episode, Ciku a mother of 10 (in this day & age?!?!!?) shares what her and her husband have factored over the years with the children...ranging from discipline, finances, education, time....physical fatigue....being intentional and so much more!...Grab your favourite beverage and sit back and listen to Ciku's sincerity and openness.
Married life can be boring wouldn't you agree? Listen to today's episode to hear the perspective of a husband who contrasts marriage to his work life in the glitzy entertainment world.
Is there an ideal number of children that a married couple should have? Listen to today's episode on this question raised by many couples before marriage and even when married.
Is prayer, considered to be more of a 'woman' thing? Today's episode shares the experience of a husband, also an entrepreneur, during the Covid pandemic, as he down sized and faced uncertainty.
Is there any truth that writing things down is a powerful exercise? Today's episode recounts the story of a lady who found and read her husband's journal.
Is the price of keeping up with appearances worth it? Listen to today's episode to hear the cost a husband paid in order to keep up with the hype.
Your child's behavior can be a direct result of your marriage status...learn this and more in today's episode.
Should one take up the opportunity when presented with the chance for further studies away from the family? Listen to today's episode to hear of a wife's experience when faced with such a decision.
Are wedding rings really necessary to wear all the time??? Listen to today's episode to learn more and Barack Obama's experience on the same.
Who has "access" to your marriage when things aren't going well? In episode 19, the question raised is: "who are you walking with in your marriage?" ties in today's episode about having "meddlers" in your marriage. Click on the link to listen to find out more.
What will your marriage look like 5 years from today? Find out by listening to today's episode on determining the value of something by your investment in it.
What if your spouse doesn't believe in God? What then? Does it mean that submission which is Bibilical does not apply in your marriage? Click on the link to find out as we wrap up the conversation series with Catherine Nyiha, a Marriage Coach. Check out her site: www.tacoh.co.ke
If a woman chooses to retain her last name after getting married, does this mean that she is not submitting to her husband versus a woman who does? Find out what Catherine Nyiha, a certified marriage coach had to say about this in today's 2nd last episode of our 5 part series on submission and marriage coaching.
Does submission in marriage mean "a wife saying yes to everything to her husband?" Which school of thought is submission to be understood from , for it to be interpreted? Dare to find out this & more by clicking on the link in our continuing conversation with Catherine Nyiha: Marriage Coach, Wife & Mother, passionate on matters of the family.
How do we know if we need a Marriage Coach? Isn't talking to outsiders about our marriage a sign of trouble in our marriage? Listen to today's episode to answer this question as we begin a 5 part series on marriage coaching & submission with my guest speaker: Catherine Nyiha, a Certified Coach, Advocate of the High court of Kenya and passionate wife and mother on issues of family.
Notes: www.tacoh.co.ke
Is there a role that is inferior or superior to the other between a husband and wife? Let's find out this and more in today's episode as we have our second part of our conversation in this month's 5 part series with Catherine Nyiha on coaching and submission in marriage.
It took an episode of a wife packing up her bags to figure out her "control status" in her marriage. Listen to today's episode to hear what she learnt.
"I'm sorry" does saying these words to your spouse.....or some form of them... mean that it's back to business as usual?... Listen to today's episode to learn if there is more to an apology.
Being frustrated can be an understatement especially when your spouse repeatedly does the very thing that they said they will not do....even when you are both in agreement about this....so what then? Listen to today's episode to learn what you could do in such a situation.
Celebration...when was the last time you and your spouse had a celebration? Do you wait for things to be a "big deal" so that you can have a celebration? And if so, what really makes things worthwhile celebrating? Listen to today's episode to learn this and more....
Is submission weakness if it means giving in to your husband even when you are not in agreement? Which comes first? Submission or "favorable behaviour" by a husband to which a wife can then submit to? Listen to today's Fun & Away episode to hear this and more.
The possibilities are endless when we dream....do you dream as a couple? How often do you take the time to do so? Do you go on dates? on getaways? The dreaming getaway on our Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Fun-Away-Together-104127622021768) & instagram pages (https://www.instagram.com/funandawaytogether/): "Fun & Away Together" can be one such getaway.
Do we need to wait to say good things about our spouse until we are writing them down in a tribute for their eulogy? Today's episode helps us know if this should be the case as I wrap up my conversation with Bramwell of Radio Waumini.
Translation
Kumbe - You Mean?
Does a man have a "stop button" to being visual once he gets married? Are women accused of "letting go" after getting the guy? Listen to find out if this is the case and more in today's episode as we look to wrap up the conversation with Bramwel of Radion Waumini.
Translations
Hiyo ni kazi mingi - That is a lot of work
Twende - Let's go
Leso - A wrap
Unajiwachilia - You let go of yourself
Nimemaliza kazi - I have finished the work
Unaekelea mguu juu ya nyingine - You put your legs up
Sasa tu relax, tuko retirement - Now we relax, we are in retirement
As we end the month, we also draw closer to an end to the conversation between myself and Bramwel of Radio Waumini…what is your defined hierarchy of love in 2022 ? Listen to today’s episode to learn this and more.
Translation:
- Ugali na Sukuma: A local dish
- Utaboeka: You will get bored
- Chakula: Food
- Kwani utashinda ukimfuata tu? Will you spend all your free time just following him?
Bad mouthing your spouse to someone when you have had a fight is OK...myth or not? What are your myths on marriage? And could it be influencing what you want for your marriage rather than having your own thoughts? Listen to today's episode to learn more in the continuing conversation between myself and Bramwel of Radio Waumini.
Translations:
- Tulianza na take out: We started with take out
- Kwani kazi ya mfanyi kazi ni nini? What is the work of a house help?
- Mbona mwanaume aende jikoni? Why should a man go to the kitchen?
- Halafu uko hapo jikoni umetoa tie, uko hapo kwa sink unaosha viombo: You are found at the sink as a man without a tie and washing dishes
- Tokens zimeisha: Electricity units for power are finished
- Mtu wa maji alikuwa amekuja hapa: The water person was here earlier
- Chama: A social group for meeting
It's a Special Podcast Monday....it's Valentine's day!!!! Question is: are you still dating while married? What is your belief system on going out with your spouse? Listen to find out if you are a "settler" and more in today's episode.
Translations:
- Sisi tumetosheka, sasa nimpeleke mtu nje kwa nini? We are content, why take out my spouse for a date?
- Amepata, ametosheka: He/she got someone, now they are content
- Hiyo majani sasa, kwa hoteli wanatulipisha ngapi? How much is the hotel charging for their tea leaves?
- Basi endeni mahali, hata kama ni Uhuru Park, hakuna mtu anakulipisha hapo: Go then to the park, no one is going to charge you there
- Kijuujuu- Half heartedly
- Pengine - Perhaps
- Alikataa kulipia fulani - He / she refused to pay for someone
- Hakuna mtu angekuwa ameolewa - No one would be married
- Heeee, mimi hapo sitawezana na hizo shida - I will not be able to withstand those kinds of problems
Children can be put at the center of our marriages, but should that really be the case? Do couples really get married with the intention to become unfaithful to their spouse along the way? How do such situations arise? Listen to today’s episode to learn more about these as was discussed between me, Liz and Radio host; Bramwel, recently, on a show on Radio Waumini.*
*Translation: "Nyamaza" - Keep Quiet
We end the month by beginning a new series covering topics from a radio interview that I did with Bramwel, a host on Radio Waumini, 88.3FM. Learn from today's episode and more if marriage is indeed a life sentence, "pingu ya maisha" as referred to by some.
Today we conclude the Marriage Insurance series as related by Fr Rocky in his book. Listen to the last part of the series to learn one of the rules that talks about the three words which when spoken everyday to your spouse can make a significant difference in your marriage.
Ever wondered about having separate or joint bank accounts with your spouse? Listen to today’s episode to learn this and more. We shall look at rules 7 – 9 in the third part of the four part series of the Marriage Insurance: 12 Rules to Live by, a book written by Fr Rocky and recommended by one of the couples from a previous couple’s getaway.
Today we get into the second part of the four part series: Marriage Insurance: 12 Rules to Live by, a book written by Fr Rocky and recommended by a couple from a previous getaway. Key to note is not to despair if you haven't been living by any of the rules covered so far as there is always a chance to review and begin again in your marriage.
Today we begin a 4 part series on "Marriage Insurance: 12 Rules to Live By" as covered in a book by Fr Rocky recommended by a couple who shared how reading has helped their marriage. Set the tone for your marriage in the year ahead by listening to today's first part of the series where 3 rules will be covered.
Is it not harmless to refer to someone like your office colleague with pet names such as "sweetheart", "dearest"...and the like? Listen to today's last podcast episode of the year on what a wife who lost her husband this year to the Covid Pandemic says.
Liverpool fans are as loyal as they come when it comes to team support, which aligns with the team slogan....I would know, my husband is a fan!...a journey never walked alone is significantly better than where one has gone it alone. In the past year, have you journeyed with someone in your marriage journey? Listen to today's episode to learn what role such a couple could play in your lives.
The idea of being married to a perfect human being is as likely as being married to an alien from outer space! Yet do we find ourselves to be more accommodating with strangers than with our own spouses when we have observed a flaw? Listen to today's episode where an office colleague with a perennial problem is the example of such a scenario.
Have you ever wondered or thought to yourself that it's just you having a tough time...far from perfect, while other couples are seeming to be enjoying their married life? A husband narrated his tale of washing nappies & making dinner as he studied for his bar exams.....how's that for "embracing a far from perfect scenario?"....click on the link below to hear this & more about dropping such vocabulary from the "marriage handbook"
Do you love your married life?....not your spouse but the life that you share with your spouse? Would you consider going on a blind date with your spouse?....listen to today's episode on how a blind date could help you understand your spouse better like a wife who finally understood why they had a set of drums & piano in their home.
Are you an enabler or destroyer of marriage? For example, if you have a position of authority at your work place, do the work-related decisions you make enable or destroy the marriages of those under your authority? Listen in today’s episode to hear what a wife would do when the bank she worked for, would organize for out of town trips for the department she worked in.
So what's the big deal if you don't defend your spouse in public?....even those seemingly harmless jokes that bring them down in a playful manner can be harmful to their ego with you standing by watching....or even worse adding in!
Listen to today's episode to find out what little children do in similar situations and that we could learn from.
Do you dismiss voicing your thoughts, reasoning that it's not that important after all? Do you feel comfortable enough with your spouse to voice your thoughts even what you would consider the most random?
Listen in to this week's episode to understand what you could do to help make your marriage a comfortable space where you could just be you....yes ladies, without feeling the need to constantly have make up on!
Is wanting a cake on your birthday an entitlement or an expectation of your spouse? How can you tell if it's more about your ego than your right? Listen to today's episode to find out what one wife did when she realized cake on her birthday was going to be a personal endeavor rather than an expectation of her spouse.
What do you do when you "kick out" a habit/practice in your marriage that you find is not beneficial to your marriage? Do you leave it at that? What could happen to the void that is created if it is not handled with intention? Today's episode gives an insight into this.
Is it OK to keep friends of the opposite sex after getting married? Or should one drop them or introduce them to your spouse so that they too become friends? Listen in on today's episode to get some insights on this sensitive issue.
Complaining about your spouse to someone else can lead you to crossing boundaries even if it is with people you consider close, as talked about in a previous episode. But what do you do when their so called flaws are driving you up the wall??? Listen to today's episode to give you an idea of what you could do!
Some couples have been heard to say that their fights begun when the children came along. It is becoming common for some couples to prefer not to have children while others would rather keep pets. Are children "bad" for marriage? Listen to today's episode to hear the effect a husband's actions had on his wife when she was having a particularly difficult pregnancy.
Is it a big deal when a lady does not use her husband's name after getting married? Does it affect her husband in any way? Does it mean that she isn't giving her all as talked about in a previous episode: All or nothing. Listen to today's episode to find out what a husband said in relation to this at a previous couple's getaway and more.
Are you all in? Not half way, not almost there, not 95% there....ALL the way into your marriage? What if you're holding back and don't even know it?
Listen to today's "Fun & Away Together" episode to find out some of the questions that can help you know your stand in your marriage.
Winging it can sound like a better proposition than preparing for something because who wants to be tied down by all the cumbersome planning???? That's until you actually experience something whose outcome could have been better managed if you had prepared for it in advance. How does this relate to marriage? Find out in today's "Fun & Away Together" episode.
Isn't it interesting how memories can be associated with food? A birthday celebration, a first date, a celebration meal after an achievement like a graduation and on & on....Do you use meal times as an opportunity to connect with your spouse? If timing is key, do you approach sensitive topics of discussion before, after or during a meal? Listen to today's episode of Fun & Away to learn this and more.
Is it realistic to expect you or your spouse to be the exact way each of you were when you got married? Do different life situations influence one to become someone else? How can you keep up with what is going on in your spouse's life so that they don't feel like a stranger in the long run? Listen to today's Fun & Away episode of how a couple with 6 children and both lawyers managed to do this in between their busy career & family schedules.
It can be relatively easy to think about needing to have boundaries to protect your marriage with people outside of your home as was the case in Episode 4 on "How far is too far?" https://www.buzzsprout.com/1635340/9054209 What about creating boundaries with people living or interacting with you in your home in order to safeguard your marriage? Listen to today's "Fun & Away Together" podcast episode to learn this and more.
Without being intentional on how you and your spouse would like things to run in your family, you may automatically each apply what you saw in your own individual families. This can lead to conflicts. Learn how "His family", "Her family", then needs to be replaced with "Our family".
Do you understand your role as a wife? As a husband? Does being a wife mean it's all about providing "domestic services" in the home? As a husband, if you loose your job, does that mean you have no say in your home? Why do husbands deserve the respect that is due to them? Listen to today's episode to learn this and more.
Comparison can be an innocent habit but unknowingly can rob us of our joy in our marital relationship when we feel our marriage versus other marriages; falls short. How can one avoid this? Listen to today's podcast to learn more.
Does your spouse mirror a strength that you have? If not, how do you approach their weakness? Are you judgmental? Understanding that they are not you? How can you approach your spouse for the benefit of your marriage if the weakness is causing friction?
Listen to today’s episode to learn more.
When your spouse offends you; do you punish them to “teach them a lesson”? Or do you choose kindness, that is forgiveness? Offence is the norm in marriage; the choice to forgive, not a feeling of forgiveness is therefore something to be intentional about.
What do you wish for your spouse? Not just in the general terms of success, good health & happiness and the like which are great. However do you know their desires? Their hopes? Their fears? Knowing this could help you know what to really wish for your spouse according to their personal needs and in the process, how you can support them to achieve this.
In networking it’s said that it’s not about “what you know” but rather “who you know”. If you were to look at your circles, who do you know and how are they influencing your marriage positively? Are they also a source of advice when faced with a marital issue? Be wary of this as it can determine the path your marriage will take.
There is a mistaken notion that marriage is the “end” yet not many realize that it is only the beginning. The stakes go up when one gets married because effort is required to maintain and even do more to keep up the fun and connection that was there during your dating days. Does it take effort? YES!!!!
After getting married, do we have a change of possession title from “mine” to “ours” in all things and in particular finances? Or is this one area where spouses should still be allowed to have “individual rights?”. Finances can be one area in marriage that the term “mine” can be the beginning of the marriage’s downfall.
When we base our actions or feelings on those of others including our spouse, we set ourselves up for a miserable life…why? Because we have no control over what they do but we can control our own emotions and actions. Choose actions for the good of your marriage regardless of whether or not your spouse is as present as you are in the marriage…it could make all the difference in keeping the marriage afloat.
Setting the tone for anything helps determine its course...how you set the tone for the beginning of your day matters on how your day will go....what about setting the tone on how you say goodbye to your spouse at the beginning of the day? Does your spouse look forward to seeing you later in the day or even talk to you during the day because of how you parted ways in the morning? A good bye routine can help show affection to your spouse who at times can be treated as an equal if not worse than strangers or office colleagues!
Do you consider yourself as someone who views situations with an 'overflow mentality' or do you barely just get by more often than not because you have a 'bare minimum' mentality'? Does this reflect in your relationships and especially in your marriage where you barely get by with needing what you need to do just to 'stay married?' Challenge yourself to give more than is required, even if you feel that "it's too much".....and then watch the effect it will have on you & your marriage....
It is our human nature to be quick to identify what is right or wrong about others according to our view. Are we as quick to understand ourselves? Our strengths? Our weaknesses? Our personality type? If you were to introduce yourself to your spouse at a job interview by way of how your personality would complement theirs, would you be able to do so confidently? Understanding your personality type together with your spouse’s can help reduce the conflict between you.
The uncertainty surrounding recent times during the pandemic has caused significant strain on individuals and their relationships….marriage has been no exception. Couples need to determine their compass in these situations as there are no straight forward answers or a clear path…..do you know your compass as a couple? Where does your hope lie?
Work is a great thing! It helps us meet the costs for our different obligations…we also get to make some great relationships with our colleagues and friends. If it takes more than its fair share of our time though, it can lead us to getting disconnected with our spouses…create a “checking in time” with your spouse to help you stay connected.
Time may not always be the stumbling block to dating your spouse but rather the cost...being intentional by including dating as part of the other household expenses can help remove this block....the time apart that you spend together is just as important as any other expense incurred in the home....choose to make it a priority!
How are intimacy and communication related? Can one exist without the other? Is one possible without the other? In this episode, communication is addressed as the underlying factor for couples to experience true intimacy between the two of them.
Secrets: “little” ones, big ones, remain just that – secrets. Rather than build up, they bring down a marriage little by little and eventually, there is complete breakdown. Consider if you have been keeping secrets and the reasons why and work on bringing them to light for the long term good of your marriage.
Marriage should just work, after all isn't it about two willing people getting into the union? But then isn't going for marriage counselling a bit "excess?" Isn't it just for those couples going through a crisis? Marriage takes work but exactly how much? And does the work ever stop? Listen to today's podcast to help determine this when it comes to working on your marriage....
Extravagance is a term more often linked to a kind of lifestyle or spending habit that is a bit on the excessive side. It could hardly be used to refer to the kind of love expressed by a person for another. What if though this was actually the case? Would you consider your love for your spouse "extravagant?"
Do you know what you don't know? In other words, "what don't you know about your spouse that you are striving to learn a bit more?" That could be to difficult to know....but how about beginning with what you do know as you work towards the unknown?
We at times want to know which actions warrant a person to be in the "safe / danger zone". As views are relative, boundaries within a marriage help a couple determine what would offend their spouse or harm their marriage.
Do we have a common outlook in areas of our marriage that are important to both of us or do we hold individual positions and expect our spouse to understand our point of view? Family background, personal experiences – a variety of things influence our views; important is to agree with your spouse a common outlook so that you are on the same page.
Choices are made everyday of our lives, knowingly or unknowingly....the hard part comes in when we are not always happy about the outcome of a choice. Consequences like the day after night will definitely arise. What choices can we then make when it comes to marriage so that we are intentional about the outcomes we want? Find out what a couple of 6 children decided to do on intentionally spending frequent alone time together.
How often do you keep score with your spouse and don't even know it? Is there an ideal score as to how engaged you can be to mirror your spouse's "good behavior" or lack of it for that matter in the marriage relationship?....find out in this episode of Fun & Away together on "Keeping Score".