1. Marriage Bugs Getting the “BUGS” out of your marriage!

2. Divorce BUG Dear Student, Hello. I am the Divorce Bug. I am highly contagious and terribly overworked. Its seems that no marriage is completely immune from me…so in attempt to reduce my work load, I’ve developed this presentation on divorce. Please study the information carefully and try some of the treatments. Thanks, The Divorce Bug

3. “Budgetitis” Definition: An inability to accept spouse’s attitude toward money. Symptoms: $ primary arguments A feeling that spouse is spending you into financial ruin Tendency to “surprise” spouse with new items.

4. “Budgetitis” Advanced Stages: Spend $ to get back at spouse One spouse has complete control of budget Treatment: Discuss budget & priorities Compromise Be considerate of spouses values and background

5. “Budgetitis” CAUTION: If irritation breaks out during discussion, discontinue treatment until tempers cool down, then increase dosage of compromise and understanding.

6. “Verbal Terminosis” Definition: A termination of open and honest communication between you and your spouse. Symptoms: Tendency to watch for double meaning in our spouse’s statements. You and your spouse both complain of being misunderstood. Increasing difficulty in verbally expressing your feelings. Loss of intimate gestures, eye contact and private jokes only the two of you can understand. Increasing difficulty in finding something to discuss with your spouse.

7. “Verbal Terminosis” Advanced Stages: Difficulty in having a conversation which doesn’t end in an argument. Long silences. Cannot relax with your spouse…conversation is stilted and repetitive Treatment: Have two one-hour discussions per week without interruptions. Avoid accusations or defensive statements. Allow equal uninterrupted expressions of thoughts and feelings. Exercise understanding, acceptance, and empathy.