If you’re in a long-term relationship or a marriage, chances are that things have gotten a little routine. Well, it happens to us all, and don’t fret—there are ways to bring the spark back into your relationship, whether you’re talking about sex or dinner plans or weekends.
First you’ve got to know what women expect out of their long-term relationships. After all, what may seem “boring” to you might signal “stable” and “secure” to her! So let’s begin by looking at some of the most important and commonly held expectations women have when it comes to marriage and husbands.
350) Stability—women want someone they can count on to come home every night and who isn’t out gallivanting all over town. Crashing at your pal’s place without telling her is likely to really hurt her feelings.
351) Communication—women need a man who is willing to discuss marital problems openly and honestly and who won’t keep things all bottled up. They also want a man who takes the time to call home if he’s going to be late or send an email during the day just to say he’s thinking of her.
352) Presence—your being there when she needs you is a very important factor. If she’s upset or busy or things around the house are getting too hectic, it’s important for you to stick around and help her rather than going out to golf with the guys. Ignoring her problems or taking care of your own needs first all the time can lead to a lot of resentment—and hey, it’s your house and your relationship, too!
353) Help around the house—on a similar note, women shouldn’t have to do all the household work, even if society has typically said so. Your wife will be very grateful and appreciative if you help her out around the house without her having to ask you first. Take out the garbage, wash some dishes, run the vacuum cleaner in the living room, or give the kids a bath. Taking on some of the chores will show her how much you respect her and tell her that you don’t expect her to do everything for you.
354) Romance—yes, even in a long marriage, women expect romance! Don’t forget to do sweet things for her, like bringing home the occasional bunch of flowers, giving her cards on her birthday, taking her out for nice dinners once in a while, drawing her a bubble bath, and so on.
355) A great sex life—that’s right, guys. Women don’t just stop wanting sex after they get married, contrary to popular belief. In fact, women’s libidos actually increase as they get toward middle age. A common reason why married couples stop having sex is that things get into a rut, and boring sex is not as appealing as hot sex. By following the rules above for spicing up your love life you can give your wife the exciting sex life she craves—and that’s good news for you, too! Also keep in mind that helping out with the chores is likely to get her “in the mood” because she’ll have more free time to spend with you….
356) Support—women need a man who will patiently listen to and actively support their dreams. If you are constantly criticizing your wife’s ambitions or keeping her from pursuing her dreams, that creates a stress in the marriage that is hard to repair.
357) Financial security—let’s face it: even women who aren’t necessarily concerned with “having it all” want men who are going to be good providers. Spending lots of money on unnecessary items or extravagant luxuries is not a good way to keep a marriage healthy and strong. Make your wife part of your financial considerations and decisions, and make sure that you are both on the same page when it comes to major purchases, or even minor daily expenses that accumulate over time. She will appreciate your taking her ideas and feelings about your family’s finances into consideration.
358) Interest in her friends and family if you are in it for the long haul, it’s inevitable that you are going to meet the other people in her life who are important to her. Make nice with her friends and family, even if you don’t really like them very much. These people are going to be around for a long time, and it’s worth your while to get on their good side.
359) Time alone with you if you’ve got kids or jobs or both, chances for the weekend. Go out to a nice dinner or to a movie. Go out on are you don’t have much quality time to devote just to each other. Make it a point on occasion to get a babysitter or come home from work early and have some “alone time.” Go to a hotel or get away dates, even if you’re no longer dating!
Now that you know what women want out of a long-term relationship, let’s talk about some little ways you can meet those expectations on a daily basis. These ideas include thoughtful gestures and sensual tips to ensure that your life together is never dull or too predictable!