Into every marriage, a little rain will fall (seldom, I hope). Here are nine “sins” a husband commits when he is insensitive to his wife:

1. Being overly critical – Diplomatic truth is appreciated. Insensitive criticism is not. If you need to point out a negative, be sure to temper your remarks with compliments.
2. Man’s job is important – Just don’t make this fact too obvious husbands. We all have to pay the bills and maintain balance in our lives. To a man, his career is often numero uno in his mind because this is the sole way most husbands “fulfill” their manly obligations to wife and kids…material provision. There is more to provision than just material matters.
3. Cheating on your spouse – No explanation needed.
4. Losing “that look” – You had when the two of you were engaged. Husbands owe it to their wives to make an attempt to stay close to a healthy weight and make an attempt to look nice (shaven, clean-cut, appropriate clothing) when in public.
5. Not being relaxed around his wife – We all have life’s pressures and husbands need to “chill” during those high-pressure moments when around loved ones. Practice patience and temperance.
6. Being controlling – Husbands need to find an inner security and not always try and control, or micro-manage, what his wife and kids are always doing. Husbands, you like to get away to do “men things.” So, too, do your wife and kids like to get away and be with like people.
7. Judgmental – Be careful about judging your wife’s friends and family. While it’s true you, as a husband, may not like some people your wife chooses to spend her time with, allow associations (as long as they are not destructive in nature).
8. Showing lack of interest in your wife – Once you are married, life just begins. Ideally, your interest in your wife should build as your marriage matures. The two of you build a life together, the two of you build associations together, you get the idea. Keep that “spark alive” when in private for a happy life…
9. Not having time for your wife – Husbands, we are all burning the candle at three ends. Marriage involves a man AND a woman together. You don’t have to be doing anything spectacular, just be together with your spouse for the opportunity to talk and share.

While this list of nine ideas probably will not be on Oprah, these ideas are time-proven toward building a successful relationship for a happy marriage…

Mike McCann