My husband and I have been married almost 23 years and have 3 great children, all of which still live at home, 16, 13, and 8 years old....we need a marriage counselor / retreat to get back our own relationship. Everything I do is for the kids and I don't want to live with my kids for the rest of my life. My husband and I need to reconnect.
What I was wondering is if anyone could recommend a retreat to help couples get back together with each other.
I highly recommend this one: http://www.paultrippministries.com/whatdidyouexpect
They do have retreats, but they also sell DVDs with their teachings. Very effective and to the point. It's called What Did You Expect? Great title, huh? My husband leads a marriage retreat every year, and we did this one last year. It was very well done.
Two books I highly recommend is The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman and Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. I know there is a love and respect workshop that I have heard is a life changer for married couples. Go to www.loveandrespect.com for more information. I believe Gary Chapman also speaks to groups frequently and has marriage seminars as well. Go to www.garychapman.org for more information there. His book the Five Love Languages is a phenomenal and fast read. Good luck! Marriage is a gift, but it is hard work. Do all you can to rekindle it!
God Bless,
A.
I have heard wonderful things about Retrovaille. We almost went to a weekend retreat, but it wasn't in our budget to do so at the time. It's not expensive, they ask you to pay what you can after a $100 deposit to hold your spot. You might have to travel out of town. We're not Catholic either, but other told us that wasn't an issue in spite of the fact it's run by the Church.
We played a lot of pool together, something we had in common but had not done together for a long time. It was cheaper than counseling.
I hope you find your way back to each other, however you decide to do it :) Good Luck!
I would recommend date nights! You probably just need to go laugh, have fun, talk and reconnect. Maybe start now and you can do a retreat when one comes up.....
I second what Elaine B said! Date nights (or afternoons) are so important. Get out and have some fun!
What brought you together in the first place? What did you like to do when you were first dating? Do something silly and fun, bowling, mini golf, drinks and darts at the pub, go on a bike ride...
If you go to a movie GO SEE A COMEDY it's so good to laugh together, especially when things feel tired and old :)
If spending some quality time together isn't quite enough I know a lot of churches offer marriage counseling/retreats but since I don't live in your area I can't offer advice there, sorry.
http://www.familylife.com/site/c.dnJHKLNnFoG/b.5846045/k....
I have friends that are apart of this ministry and they are because it saved their marriage. Have heard wonderful things about it. It is Christian based so not sure if that's for you but you could check it out.
Doing date night once a week or even twice a month might help too.
Go on 3-4 day vacation together :) anywhere!
If your catholic you can find literature at your church about retreats, etc. It's in a media center at the back of our church and there always seems to be local weekend and day programs being offered.
What is a Retrouvaille Program?
The word Retrouvaille™ (pronounced re-tro-vi with a long i.) is a French word meaning rediscovery. The program offers tools needed to rediscover a loving marriage relationship. Thousands of couples headed for cold, unloving relationships or divorce have successfully overcome their marriage problems by attending the program.
The Retrouvaille Program consists of a weekend experience combined with a series of 6-12 post-weekend sessions over 3 months. It provides the tools to help put your marriage in order again. The main emphasis of the program is on communication in marriage between husband and wife. It will give you the opportunity to rediscover each other and examine your lives together in a new and positive way.
What the Program is not.
It is not a retreat, marriage counseling, or a sensitivity group. There are neither group dynamics nor group discussions on the weekend. It is not a time for hurting; it is a time for healing.
Who is it for?
It is for couples with marital problems including those who are considering marriage separation and those who are already separated or divorced that want marriage help.
Some couples come to Retrouvaille during the initial signs of a marriage problem. Other couples are in a state of despair and hopelessness when they attend the program. These latter couples often consider the Retrouvaille program their final option.
Many lawyers and judges send couples to Retrouvaille as a prerequisite to filing for a divorce or rendering final decisions. Many marriage counselors send their clients to Retrouvaille as a prerequisite to marriage counseling. These professionals know that the tools of communication in marriage taught in the program are often what couples need.
