Advice for a happy marriage

It’s countdown time. Thousands of couples will walk down the aisle this Saturday, 7-7-07, hoping all those 7s — the number long associated with luck — will keep them lucky in love. It’s one of the most popular wedding dates in modern history, according to overwhelmed wedding planners, florists, and photographers.

Relationship experts caution, however, that much more than luck is needed to stay together and beat the odds of a divorce, now estimated to end half of today’s marriages. Here, relationship experts consulted by WebMD offer their best marriage tips for how to stay lucky in love. And they go way beyond the usual tips to buy her flowers, cook his favorite meal, and remember to schedule date night.

1. Purge the “D’” word ie Divorce.
2. Replace the 7 deadly habits in a marriage with the 7 caring habits.

The seven deadly habits are criticizing, blaming, complaining, nagging, threatening, punishing, and bribing.
The seven caring habits include supporting, encouraging, listening, accepting, trusting, respecting, and negotiating your differences.

3. Take care of yourself.
4. Discuss outside friendships.
5. Stop trying to control your partner.
6. Honor and respect your partner.
7. If you’re the wife, lower your expectations. If you’re the husband, step up to the plate.