Short messages on Relationships issues from Respect Yourself, the guidance site for young people to help make good decisions in life.
Women need to be made to feel special all the way through the relationship. Learn about them and their individual needs, and show them that you understand them.
Men have three basic needs: food, intimacy, and appreciation. Show you appreciate him and what he does for you by telling him and showing him often: make it obvious, and see how the relationship improves.
Men are initially attracted using the sense of sight. Women are initially attracted using the other senses: how he smells, how he talks to you, how he makes you feel good about yourself.
It’s likely that your partner’s bearing the brunt of your mood swings. Letting him know you still love and cherish him may help him to take your outbursts less personally. In your calmer moments, try to spend some quality time together. It will help to strengthen your bond before your baby arrives.
In a relationship, if you both share your inner dialogue, this helps the woman feel close to her partner. Women should let their partner know this; they won’t know unless you tell them.
If you do not apologise for something, you are sending the message that you think you were right to do what you did and say what you said. This might make you feel powerful, but self-righteousness wins no friends.
In a relationship, jealousy doesn’t show you care. It shows you feel insecure and have a lack of trust. Work these issues out to improve the relationship and yourself.
If someone you love goes to prison, it does not reflect upon your character. Make sure you have someone you can talk honestly to who can support you, so you can support your loved one.
After an argument, don’t assume that just because they have apologised, this means you don’t have to. You both need to apologise to each other. They feel just as wronged as you and it is rarely just one person responsible for what is said in an argument.
Sometimes having that difficult conversation is the only way to move things forward. Be brave and get it out of the way so that you can both make progress together.