The dating period is so important. Not only do you get to know each other better, but you get to know each other's personality and character. Many women claim they don't see their husband's negative characteristics before they get married, and that's why so many people are dissatisfied in their marriage.

Knowing some of these characteristics beforehand can save you from a marriage to a person you don't actually want to be with:

1. Dishonesty

Dishonesty can often be found through subtle actions, like when he takes advantage of you or when he tells a little white lie. Some people don't even pay attention to the harm they could cause others through their lies, and it's important to see that in a person before you get in a relationship or marriage with them. If you've seen him lie to and manipulate others, you can be sure he'll do the same to you.

2. Harassment

If he often makes comments that diminish and humiliate you, even if he does it jokingly, be extremely careful. It could even lead to emotional abuse. According to Huffington Post, "Your emotionally abusive partner is far more invested in tearing you down and keeping you down. He really doesn't want you feeling good about yourself. If you do, you might realize you could do better elsewhere."

3. Flirting

Some men love to flirt with every woman they come in contact with. This attribute can be deadly to a relationship. When a man treats a woman he doesn't know as an object, he won't treat his wife with respect either.

4. Jealousy

An insecure man wants to control his woman and keep her as close as possible. He doesn't want to lose her, so he might go to unhealthy lengths to keep her close. He may even disguise it as excessive messages and phone calls because he wants to chat, but he really wants to keep you under his control. Also, be careful if he's always dissatisfied with your victories. He shouldn't be intimidated by your success, and neither of you will be happy if he is.

5. Idleness

Some men are lazy and want a woman to rely on. Men who want everything handed to them are often mean and demanding. Look for a man who can support himself and is grateful when you do something kind for him.

6. Monotony

The same routine day in and day out can get boring. Although your man thinks marriage would be boring, he doesn't do anything to fix it. Be careful if he does absolutely nothing to make your relationship exciting, because it'll stay the same once you're married. It's easy to look like you're having a good time and your relationship is awesome, but you can't deny what you feel if your relationship is awful.

These bad habits all have certain levels, and they're extremely common. Now that you know what the problems are, you can have a better idea on how to fix it or evaluate it.

This article was adapted and translated from the original "6 coisas que os maridos ruins têm em comum" which was originally published on familia.com.br.

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Once the honeymoon phase is over and you settle into life's old routines, you can start to miss the good old days of dating your husband- days full of excitement and butterflies. Initially, it was exhilarating to win your husband over and you loved feeling so close as a couple. But now, he feels distant. Romance is on the backburner, and things aren't like they used to be.

If you want to win back your happy marriage and your husband, you can. You just need to act sooner than later.

Here are six actions that can help:

1. Take care of your self-esteem

Your current marital situation can take a hit on your self-esteem - but don't let it happen. Raise your head up and be proud of yourself. Your husband will see your confidence and be even more attracted to you. By doing things to make yourself happier and learning to love your appearance, you'll be well on your way to renewing your relationship with your husband.

2. Exercise to improve your mood

Physical exercises also help boost your mood, plus it will help you stay physically fit. Find your gym clothes, renew your membership and maybe even invite your husband along - there's no better gym buddy than your spouse.

3. Put jealousy aside

When you are with him, master your jealousy and replace it with self-confidence. Respect your husband instead of accusing him, and he'll be more willing to do the same for you. Respect and trust are such an important aspects of every marriage - the more you have of both, the better off you two will be.

4. Bring up your past together

Look back on what life was like when you both were totally in love, then commit to bringing back those habits to your current relationship. Share old photos or videos with him, and bring up happy memories often. Remembering those joyful moments will draw his attention back to first reasons he fell in love with you.

5. Resolve lingering issues

Unresolved conflicts put a strain on any relationship. Try to think back on any arguments that were never solved between you two, then work together to find a resolution.

6. Treat him as you would like to be treated

This "golden rule" is repeated often, but we could all do a little better at following it. Don't say something to your husband that you wouldn't want him to say to you. Be a good listener, be attentive, share his interests and do things you would love for him to do for you.

By doing these six things, you'll be winning back your husband in no time. Every relationship has its ups and downs, but when both partners work hard at showing each other love and kindness, you two will share a happy and long life together.

This article has been adapted and translated from the original "10 ações para reconquistar seu marido como a primeira vez" which was originally published on familia.com.br.

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Marriage gets a bad rap sometimes. No one will deny that even in the closest relationships, there are moments of annoyance; but it's also true that working to spend your life with someone whom you love, respect and admire creates huge satisfaction.

But in those bad moments, what is it your husband dislikes the most about your marriage? It's probably not what you'd expect.

Husbands' complaints

After numerous studies with couples over the years, psychotherapist Dr. Harriet Lerner discovered the No. 1 complaint of husbands is this: the continuous complaints of their wives.

Criticism from women is considered the most annoying behavior to men. As an example, consider this conversation:

"My husband is romantic, always surprising me, and affectionate and gentle. I can't take this anymore!"

The friend responds, "Wait ... isn't that good?"

"It's boring! We never fight!"

The problem

That joke is too sad to be funny. Many husbands are so uncomfortable with criticism that it drives them away because they don't how to handle it. Eventually they start believing their wives don't admire them, because they only hear complaints from them.

This situation can turn into a standstill. The wife says something like, "If you do not want me to complain, then do the right things." And the husband feels even more degraded.

Hard, huh?

So, you can either end the marriage and probably ruin another later down the road, or you can change for the better.

Understand perspective

If both the husband and wife could see the other's point of view, the situation would be much better. Both feel misunderstood, unappreciated and uncared for. When we learn to respect different points of view, new possibilities emerge and it becomes easier to understand the attitudes of the other. When you learn to be more understanding, it will help your marriage dramatically.

Learn to admire

If you are whining a lot ... stop! It's hurting your marriage. Grab a piece of paper and write down everything you admire about your husband — as a human being, man, father, son, etc. Then read your list out loud, and realize that there is so much more you could add; this is a great exercise. After all this, show him you admire him. It's not enough just to know it.

Pay attention

If you've been criticizing him a lot, chances are he has a hard time communicating with you. He's scared of opening up, because you might tear him down. Learn to communicate in a healthier way. Take a class or counseling on communication if necessary. When you stop criticizing him, he'll slowly learn it's safe to open up to you.

Criticism only hurts feelings and destroys confidence. It can make your husband feel cornered. Pay attention to your attitude toward him, and change your damaging comments to affectionate ones.

This article has been adapted and translated from the original, "A reclamação número 1 dos homens casados não é o que você pensa," which was originally published on familia.com.br.

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Men and women obviously express their feelings differently, so sometimes it's a struggle to know how your man really feels. Every man clearly has his own way of flirting, but these common little signs tend to demonstrate when men are in love:

1. Shows attention.

A man in love is attentive when you're around. Does he look into your eyes and speak directly to you, even when there a bunch of other people around? No matter the group you're in, he directs his attention to you.

2. Prioritizes time with you.

Nothing is more important to a man in love than to be with the woman who makes him passionate. Of course he has his own job, friends and hobbies, but he shows how important it is to be with you. When he sees you, it makes him joyful.

3. Tries to impress.

A man who wants to win over a woman's heart tries to impress her. He wants her to see he is something special.

4. Wants to make you laugh.

When he's in love with you, he wants your attention. One of the best ways for him to do this is to tease you. Nicknames, jokes ... he tries to do anything to get you to smile. It's his way of feeling like he is charming to you.

5. Pays compliments.

A man in love can be very observant; this is part of how he wins you over. This can become noticeable in how he compliments you. He notices how you look and appreciates your beauty.

6. Finds ways to give.

When men are especially earnest in their interest, they look for little things they can give you to show their interest like a small gift or simple flower.

7. Feels jealous.

Not all men are jealous, and too much jealousy is unhealthy, but your man doesn't want to have to divide your attention with other men. When this consistently happens, he can start to feel uncomfortable and occasionally threatened.

8. Talks about himself.

Men tend to have a harder time talking about their feelings. If he is opening up and talking to you about himself, it shows he trusts you. This is an indication he is taking your relationship seriously.

9. Wants his friends to meet you.

He is proud of you and proud to be with you. Because of this, he wants to show you off to the world, including to his friends and family.

10. Includes you in future plans.

Arguably one of the greatest signs a man is in love is when he makes plans for the future including you. Dinners, trips, parties-if it's in the future and he wants you there, this is a great indication he plans on being with you for a long time.

Passion plays an important role in a relationship; it is the first step toward a life together. Over time that passion gives way to another feeling more mature and solid, which is love. Learning to balance love and passion is important for a lasting, healthy and happy relationship.

This article has been translated and adapted from the original article, "10 sinais de que um homem está apaixonado" on Familia.com.br.

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Intimate relationships are very important in a couple's life. Besides being able to create children, sex generally brings couples closer together and improves better understanding between each spouse.

It is important for men and women to understand the differences in feelings and actions each gender has when it comes to sex. This article specifically deals with how men handle sex, and in return, how women can keep them interested, even after years of marriage.

Male sexuality

Men are more visual. He is enchanted by what he sees, and may be excited with a simple image of nudity. It is no wonder that the porn industry targets men as their main client, but it's important to understand that pornography is not normal. In fact, it glamourizes those who are led by their weaknesses. Pornography only takes into account the self-centered aspect of sex - rather than focusing on the emotions of both the man and woman involved.

1. Show interest

Many women are shy about expressing their sexual desires; however, it's healthy to discard prejudices and express what you want. Husbands want their wives to initiate sex instead of making excuses when he seeks it. Having both spouses initiate sex creates a healthy sexual relationship.

2. Take care of appearance

Many women neglect themselves over time. Try to stay well-groomed and healthy. Do what you need to develop a good self-esteem. It doesn't cost anything to please the eyes of someone you love.

3. Don't hate on yourself

You're smart! You're beautiful! While it will help you feel better to do the above, also realize we all have imperfections, and your husband loves you the way you are. Insecurities like, "I'm overweight," or "I do not like my body," can greatly impair sexual life. Love and value yourself. Highlight what you like about yourself and draw his attention to it.

4. Show love in simple ways

Look for the small things he enjoys about life. Doing those little things throughout the day can help you both feel more in love. When the time comes to be intimate, it comes more naturally for you both. This is a great weapon of seduction.

5. Give of yourself, body and soul

Life and stress happens. You may need to take some time to release negative emotions about him before you can have a desire to be intimate. Learn to focus on the positive. Healthy sexual relationships can help strengthen the love you feel for each other.

This article has been translated and adapted from the original article, "5 segredos para deixar ele louco por você" on Familia.com.br.

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Many women idealize the person they choose to share their lives with and, over time, end up feeling very frustrated. Having high expectations of people is not recommended, because every human being has his faults and difficulties - some worse than others.

A wife may not even be aware that her husband is treating her poorly. Because of this, I believe it is worth revealing what all lousy husbands have in common, if only to help those struggling realize that they do not deserve the treatment they are receiving. Here are some characteristics of terrible husbands:

1. They are jealous and controlling

Trust is an important requirement for healthy relationships. When a man does not trust his wife, he will often become jealous and suspicious of everything she does. This kind of husband will make his wife sacrifice her dreams, career, life and freedom so that he can feel in control.

2. They are cold and inattentive

Husbands like this do not put their wives as a priority. He doesn't care about her feelings, let alone her aspirations. They live selfishly do not value a wife's qualities, making her feel rejected and alone.

3. They are extremely critical

Nothing that his wife does is good enough. This kind of husband will always find something to criticize and complain about, because he only sees the negative side of everything. He will not take responsibility for his actions and will always blame his wife for everything.

4. They love porn

Pornography addictions are responsible for the failure of many relationships. It is disrespectful to the wife, shows a lack of commitment to the relationship and indicates poor character.

5. They are crude and rude

Lousy husbands use hostile language. They are always angry and behave in a rude and grumpy way, and worse, they are violent and offensive.

6. They don't collaborate

Some do not participate in providing for the family income. Others believe that by bringing in the income, they already do everything. This attitude results in a husband stretched on the couch watching television or out with friends, not bothering to help his wife with any of the housework or childcare.

7. They cultivate lies and infidelity

They do not deal well with the truth, because the truth is usually very bleak due to their addictions or infidelity. To make things worse, these husbands will produce a network of lies in order to maintain or cover up the others, until they are completely entangled in them. They are immature and do not recognize their wives and family are the foundation that every man needs to be really happy. The wives of these men end up insecure, unhappy and dissatisfied.

If this list sounds very familiar, consider a change. Talk to your husband. Explain your feelings and see if you can work through it. Try to save your marriage. You do not deserve a lousy husband.

_This article is an adaptation and translation of the original article, "7 coisas que péssimos maridos têm em comum."

It has been republished here with permission.

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Marriage is extremely delicate, requiring a great deal of dedication and devotion. However, often spouses take actions that greatly hinder a healthy relationship. If left unnoticed, these things can cause great harm in a marriage.

Here are 10 mistakes to be aware of that often result in marital misery and/or divorce:

1. Believing that happiness depends on the other

It is important that you find your own satisfaction and remember that it is not your spouse's responsibility to make your life wonderful in every way. It is your choice to be happy. Happiness is not given. It is built.

2. Constantly criticizing your spouse

No one likes to be constantly scolded. Repeated criticism of your spouse's behavior will not cause him or her to change. In fact, it may produce the opposite effect.

3. Speaking badly of the other

Avoid gossiping about your husband or wife to friends and family. This will cause hurt feelings and distrust to abound.

4. Focusing on the negative

Always expecting the worst of each other will not save you from disappointment. Instead, it will attract negativity, and damage your relationship and trust. Have a realistic, but positive, view of your spouse. Do not expect perfection, but do not expect failure either.

5. Keeping secrets

Life together, as the name makes clear, must be effectively shared. This leaves no room for secrets in the intimacy of two people who love each other.

6. Cheating

Infidelity is the most common reason for the ending of relationships. Fully commit to the choice you have made in marrying your spouse. Seek to reflect on how to resist the temptation to cheat.

7. Having different goals

Of course it is necessary that each of you keep your individuality, but you need to make sure "my goals" turn into "our goals." Marriages thrive when both people have common goals in sight.

8. Refusing to forgive

Every human being is subject to error. Forgiving offenses is essential to maintaining a healthy relationship. Remember, you have made your fair share of mistakes as well.

9. Being highly controlling

No one likes to feel controlled or spied on. Those who tend to be controlling usually have problems with insecurity. Take care of your self-esteem, eliminate feelings of jealousy, and trust that your spouse can do the right thing on his or her own.

10. Not expressing feelings with your spouse

Lack of communication is a major impediment to relationships. Talking helps people express their feelings, and aids in seeking timely solutions. It is also important to praise and show love by caring and providing dedicated attention.

It is said that "To err is human, but to persist in error is inhuman." Acting intelligently is to observe what has harmed the relationship and change the behavior. According to Confucius, to "not fix our faults is the same as committing new mistakes." So, if you and your spouse want a harmonious and happy marriage, fix your faults, learn from your mistakes and move forward together.

This article is a translation and adaption of the original article,

"10 erros que podem acabar com um casamento."

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Men and women have different ways of expressing their feelings. Without you realizing it, some of the ways you behave may cause your man to lose interest. Observing small details and differences in behavior can make a big difference in a relationship; it's best to remain alert to avoid some big problems.

Watch out for these four situations that can make a man lose interest in his woman. Though these behaviors were what men complained about, neither gender should exhibit these attitudes.

1. Indecisive, erratic behavior

A little indecision is completely normal and appropriate. What isn't good is when women absolutely cannot make a decision; in every situation, their behavior is frenzied and unpredictable. Their opinions and moods are constantly changing, which only confuses their partner. Men can't keep up with a flaky, unreliable woman. After devoting his best to try and understand, he gets discouraged, loses interest and gives up.

2. Forcing change, being critical

A woman who wants to dramatically change her partner's behavior, attitude, or even financial status causes serious problems in a relationship. This type of behavior gives the man the impression that nothing he does is good enough. Even if he does something right, he fails. Being with someone who has this attitude can seriously danger the relationship.

No one can live very long feeling totally worthless. Trying to inspire or push your partner to their best self is a great goal to have, but if you are making him into something he's not, you are in the wrong.Never emphasizing the good and only pointing out the bad is a quick way for your man to lose interest. Unfortunately, this type of behavior often becomes habit a woman isn't even aware of.

3. Being insecure

There isn't a man alive who can withstand a woman who has endless bouts of jealousy and insecurities. If a woman distrusts everything, butts into her man's business, and always plays the victim, this will weaken the relationship. Daily demonstrations of low self-esteem and pity are difficult to manage. From a man's point of view, endless crises without any rhyme or reason to them all detonates any interest he may have in the girl.

4. Being controlling

Bossy women are on the top of the list when it comes to what men do not like. Women who always take control, always have a solution, care about everything too much and are dead set on their opinions are too much to handle. A 'my way or the highway' attitude doesn't allow any sort of teamwork with your partner. Bossy women are controlling, possessive, and negative.

Psychiatrist Flavio Gikovate said, "although not always their intention (these women) exert full control over all those they hold dear. They become tyrants". Wanting to control others results in completely losing control of the relationship and losing the interest of their partner.

If you feel that your man may be losing interest, take a minute and see if it might be how you are behaving. If this is the case, having a conversation about these issues is a good way to resolve problems before it is too late. Don't lose your partner's interest by acting this way; be aware of your behaviors and talk things out.

This is a translation of the original article, "4 coisas que fazem um homen perder o interesse" from Familia.com.br.

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1. Jealousy & Obsessiveness

This trait seems to top the list of characteristics that men consider intolerable. It's embarrassing to get persistent calls all the time at work or when you're with friends. It's extremely tiring having to justify what you're doing all the time and dealing with a spouse or girlfriend's jealousy.

2. Nosy

Many men are bothered by women who constantly intrude, always want to know everything, and constantly ask questions. It's important to communicate with your significant other, but when they butt in on EVERY conversation and want to impose their opinions, it makes it harder to want to include them.

3. Drama

When women turn every situation into a major problem, dramatize, and make a "mountain out of a molehill" over every tiny thing, it becomes very tiresome. Women who are constantly overly emotional, cry all the time, and always take the role of drama queen are exhausting.

4. Needy

Women who need attention all the time are never satisfied. Nothing men do is enough to make them feel loved and fulfilled. To men, these women are both boring, high maintenance and inconvenient.

5. Belittling

Ladies who feel the need to constantly criticize are completely degrading. They do not recognize their companion's good qualities or show them any kind of admiration. They constantly gripe - even in public. This behavior is a highly destructive and can ruin a relationship.

6. Fault-finding

Women who see fault in everything (because, of course, they are the only ones who can do anything right). They talk bad about other people all of the time and spend hours detailing other people's faults. Yeah, it may make them feel more superior, but saying rude things about other people doesn't make you seem more interesting.

7. Dismissing

Women who dismiss their husband's feelings bring lots of distress to their lives. You can't solve problems that way. When a man feels like he is being misinterpreted or ignored, his mood gets worse and he distances himself. This is a dangerous and vicious cycle in a relationship.

8. Extreme talkers

It is a female tendency to talk repeatedly about matters that they don't feel like have been resolved. Males typically respond by shutting off, resulting in the woman feeling like she isn't being listened to and brings it up again - this time louder. This definitely causes problems in a relationship.

It's a good thing to understand the opposite sex, and how they react to behavior that drives them crazy. It can help you position yourself better in a relationship, so you know how to respond and communicate in a better way.

Translated and adapted from the article, "8 posturas da mulher que irritam os homens" originally published on Familias.com.br.

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After my article, "8 female behaviors that annoy men" was published, I received many responses from women who provided a bunch of great suggestions about things men do that irritate them.

They were all very interesting, so I decided to write this article to the men so that we can promote greater understanding for both genders.

Here are the eight male behaviors that annoy women.

1. Possessive

Men who think that women are an object of ownership. They want control over a woman's every action, word or attitude even though, in reality, they have no claim over them.

2. Sloppy

Men who do not take good care of themselves, lack good hygiene and make the house messy. This is really annoying.

3. Insensitive

Women, in general, are more sentimental than men (or at least express their feelings more). This gender difference sometimes causes men to think their companions are just being dramatic. When men disregard their wives' feelings or important events, the women feel rejected and disregarded.

4. Grumpy

Men who complain about everything, are never satisfied, not fun, rude and prefer to isolate themselves. They always see things negatively and nothing satisfies them. Any effort to help them feel positive is in vain. These men only know how to criticize everything and everyone - nothing makes them happy. It is especially bad when their foul mood is directed toward women and nobody else.

5. Untrustworthy

Men who do not keep their promises and put their personal interests before their wife and family. Although they make commitments, they do not follow through on their responsibilities.

6. Procrastinator

Guys who leave everything for later and postpone helping around the house. They consistently make themselves unavailable to perform activities related to the family.

7. Self-centered

This includes vain men who think the world revolves around them. They enjoy being the center of attention and think their wife and family live to serve them. Men who are self-centered do not accept criticism, and they think they are always right. These characteristics can make a woman feel humiliated, debased and unhappy.

8. Flirtatious

This seems to be the #1 complaint from women. These are the men who love to charm other ladies. This behavior is highly irritating, causes a lot of discomfort for a wife and borders on infidelity.

The objective of drawing this parallel between what annoys men and women is to provoke reflections on what one or the other may be doing to jeopardize harmony and well-being in the relationship. After all, happiness in the relationship takes two people working together to achieve a healthy union.

Translated and adapted from the article, 8 posturas do homem que irritam as mulheres, originally published on Familia.com.br.

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