How do you say “Welcome Home?”

In his book, Take Back your Marriage, Dr. Doherty shares a list of 9 things that we can DO to strengthen our marriages!  We talked about one of these action items last time … finding time to talk together.  So we move onto number two: establish a “greeting ritual.”

 

How do you greet your spouse after a day of being apart?  We’re not talking about a short celebration dance … but just an action that says … I love you and I’m glad to be here with you …  

 

Karen (my wife of 33 years) would say I have a greeting ritual … every time I come in the door I sigh a sigh … she’d say I groan … like “Oh no I have to be home and I don’t want to be here …”   I maintain that I am leaving the office behind and sighing a sigh of relief and joy to be home.  So you can see how one can have a difference of opinion on welcome home rituals. 

 

Dr. Doherty suggests that you agree on a greeting ritual … drop what you’re doing … give one another a hug or kiss … better yet both! etc.  That says, “Youre important … and I am glad we’re together again.”  Who doesn’t want to hear that?    

 

So tonight when you walk in the door … go find your spouse (if he or she is home … if not when your partner walks in … you go seek your spouse) … and greet them with a special greeting … be creative … but make sure you can repeat it …

 

When you pick them up off the floor explain that you need a “greeting ritual” as a couple … and then take some time later to chat about what that will look like … afterall it needs to mean the same thing to both of you.

 

Have fun!