How to Show Her Support: A Field Guide for Men

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We've explored receiving support, and giving support, in the last two posts. Today, we identify the ways to express more support to your wife or girlfriend, so you can start employing them into your relationship or marriage.

  • Take the time (even for 5 min. a day) to simply listen. Sit down with her, make eye contact, and actively listen. Reflect back what you hear from her, as she says it; you can achieve this without sounding like a counselor or therapist.

  • Understand that "doing" things for her is different from "being"; making weekend plans, doing the grocery shopping or laundry, or taking her car in for a wash are "doing" things. Guys have a hard time with this, as we're executors. Try "being" their for her (see above bullet point)

  • Tell her she's a great girlfriend/wife/mother

  • Be specific about what you love about her, or what you support her for (women like the specifics)

  • Communicate to her that she's smart or funny, as well as sexy; a healthy mix of support about her physique, as well as her character, will get you a long way.

  • Ask simply: "How can I help?" This will payoff big-time. It'll communicate to her that you care about her and her needs. Develop a "how can I help" mindset, and this will radically change your relationship for the better.

  • If there's a problem in your relationship that you don't see, or don't want to see, consider that there might be one for her. Just because you don't see the problem, doesn't mean it's not there. Admitting that there's a problem, and risking asking for help, is supporting her, and supporting your relationship

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These tips should go a long way towards both communicating your support for the woman you love, and express your caring and concern for the well-being of your relationship.

If you commit to working on these actively, and making them an integral part of your relationship on a day-to-day basis, you're both going to be a lot happier that you did. She'll be quite happy with you.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Marriage and couples counseling , or if counseling might be right for you, please feel free to contact me directly or visit our marriage couples counseling.

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