Connecting with Your Partner
This is a good time to reflect on your relationship and how to make it stronger. Strong couples share many of the same qualities.
Build trust.
Strong couples build trusting relations by following through with promises.
Show commitment.
Strong couples feel like a team. They share traditions like having a picnic on the Fourth of July or taking walks together after dinner. Couples show commitment to their relationship by making time for their partner and making sacrifices for one another.
Communicate.
Members of strong couples talk to one another about important decisions and daily plans. They discuss feelings as well as day-to-day activities at school or work. When there are conflicts, they take time to cool down before responding. They don't bottle up their anger or let it get out of hand. They talk about possible solutions to problems and work together to carry out the best solution.
Grow through crises.
All couples experience crises. Strong couples use these experiences to learn and grow. They know even bad experiences can bring about good changes and help them to become closer. They admit problems instead of hiding them. They seek help when needed.
Spend time together.
Strong couples spend time together, talking, reading, playing games, taking walks, cooking. Some special times involve closeness, like watching a movie together or saying goodbye in the mornings with a kiss.
Have fun as a couple.
Strong couples know that having fun is important and make plans to have fun together. They plan trips or parties. They know that laughter is important and use humor to help reduce stress. Partners laugh with one another, not at one another.
Show love and affection.
No matter what people say or do, they need to know that their partners love them. Strong couples show caring in many ways. They may say to each other, "I love you" or "I'm happy we're in this relationship together." They give hugs and show affection in other small ways. They may call each other nicknames and enjoy remembering funny stories.
Child Welfare Information Gateway. (Reviewed 2025 [Ed.]). Celebrate National Family Month (B. Schuette, Ed.). In Safe children and healthy families are a shared responsibility (p. 21). Washington, DC: Author.