Flora Sukoluhle Dlodlo

Navigating the Marriage Relationship Flora Sukoluhle Dlodlo

In this book I address this difficult institution. I will weave in our experiences, not because ours is perfect, but to share what we have learnt, and what we continue to learn to enjoy together as friends, and as husband and wife. I hope that after reading it you will find something worthwhile to think about; adopt what you think is relevant and appropriate, and adapt it to your situation. My belief is that it will hopefully make your marriage the best example of love and commitment, till death do you part. It is not important that you remember in detail all the information from what you read, but rather, what you think because of what you have read and understood. Your attitude to the whole process is all that matters. I hope that those preparing for marriage will also find some useful information to prepare them for the journey into matrimony. This book is divided into six chapters. I use the acronym L-E-A-R-N as a title for the first five Chapters. Chapter 1 discusses the importance of learning to love as the basis of the marriage relationship. Chapter 2 looks at your expectations of marriage and the importance of continuous evaluation as your circumstances change. Chapter 3 stresses that couples that love each other care for each other's physical and emotional needs. Chapter 4 takes up the role respect plays in building up the relationship. Chapter 5 encourages the couple to allow and support creativity within the relationship which will enable them to grow. Chapter 6, the last chapter, addresses some of the conflicts that hinder learning in a marriage. At the end of each chapter, there are exercises to do. The aim is to give the readers a chance to re-assess the marriage and identify strengths and areas of improvement, to take remedial action where appropriate. You will find that throughout the conversation, no marriage aims at being a perfect specimen. It requires regular assessment and adjustment to the changes around you. Both of you must be willing to do it when the need arises.