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Relationship Top 10s

By Laurie Neal

1. Don't nag. There is no quicker way to annoy someone. Chances are they will just learn to tune you out.

2. Don't talk over your partner, twist their words, tease or tell your partner that they are wrong -- these are guaranteed communication killers.

3. Don't give your partner the silent treatment. If you don't talk it out, the situation will never be resolved.

4. Don't storm away when you want your partner's attention. Your partner may not follow -- and then you'll only feel worse.

5. Don't fight dirty. Being nasty and saying things you really don't mean will only make the situation harder to resolve.

6. Don't hold in your feelings until you explode. Dealing with one problem at a time is much easier than dealing with several at once.

7. Don't be stubborn. If you are wrong, admit it. If your partner apologizes, accept the apology graciously.

8. Don't drag others into your arguments. You don't want your mother in your bedroom -- she doesn't belong in the middle of your marital problems, either. Your friends may say things meant to help, but that will only bother you once the dispute is over.

9. Don't put off spending quality time together. You wouldn't do that to your kids -- why would you do it to your partner?

10. Don't refuse professional help when you know you need it. It can be embarrassing to see a relationship counselor -- but you'll get over it, and if it helps, isn't a little embarrassment worth it?