Marriage Encounter ?

[jstbcuz]

Anyone ever went to a Marriage Encounter weekend? I was wondering if you think it was a waste of time or if you got something out of it? Does it go into a lot of religous stuff? It says all faiths welcome, and I dont want it to be "pushy" if you know what I mean.

By the way, my marriage is not in trouble.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I'm interested in this too. My church does one but I don't think DH would be that interested in going if it's purely religious based.

We've had our rough spots but things seem to be going very well right now. We just need to learn to communicate and listen to each other better...

 

[JunieJay]

My brother and his wife attend these frequently and are always encouraging DH and I go with them. DH has never been too fond of the idea, but I would like to go! I bet it would help strengthen the marriage. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread.

 

[rie'smom]

Dh and I have never attended one but some of our friends have and they say it was life changing-it actually helped save the marriage of 1 couple.

 

[GeorgeG]

I don't have any personal experience, but used to work with a guy who went with his wife for several months. He seemed to like it and had the bumper sticker and all. One day at work he was telling me he was supposed to go that evening, but just wasn't in the mood for pretending he was in love.

Like most things, I guess it can be a different experience for different people. My own feeling is that you will never get what you're looking for by doing what others expect from you when you don't truly believe in it. A marriage, partnership, or any endeavor must be based on pure and open honesty. Except, maybe, when a wife asks if a certain dress makes her look fat, then the survival instinct should kick in...

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I am curious about this too. I have heard about it for years. My understanding is: that it is Christian faith-based; there is lots of time allotted for spouses to be alone with each other; it is not designed to save troubled marriages so much as to strengthen strong marriages. The one big reason DW and I have not done one is childcare - sad, aint it?

 

[disneymama73]

My neighbor goes to these, and she highly recommends them. I know her inlaws go to them also.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

I only here fabulous things about these. DH and I did do Engaged Encounter before we were married and it was mond-blowing! we learned so much more about each other and had fun too! It was not religious at all. It was more therapeutic! honestly!

 

[georgina]

We did one several years ago. Not much religion involved - it is more talking. The presenters give a talk, and then you and your spouse go back to your room to talk to each other. We slipped up on the follow-up stuff - you are supposed to sit down alone with each other every day at home to discuss your feelings. It was a good experience, and to the poster who said they need to learn to communicate better, that is its main focus.

 

[jstbcuz]

bumping for more input