KUCHING: Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah urged married couples to continue planning and doing things together, since they cannot go out freely due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Continue to have dates and plan to do things together even when you cannot go out so freely,” she said.
She explained that it was crucial for married couples to put in extra effort during this Covid-19 pandemic crisis to protect and preserve their marriages and families.
“Households may need to renegotiate domestic responsibilities — at the same time they’re dealing with the emotional and financial fallout of losing a job, on top of the possibility of sick loved ones or getting sick themselves,” she said when officiating at a virtual marriage course graduation party held via Zoom on Friday night.
She stressed that communication was imperative during these unprecedented times, such as talking to each other to understand one another and provide reassurance, as well as making plans and schedules that both partners were happy with.
She also reminded partners that they could still be creative and have a few date nights with candle light dinners, watching a movie together or going for a walk in the garden.
“The aim is to ensure that your relationship stays strong and that you remain connected and be interdependent on each other,” she added.
She continued: “If you and your partner do get into an argument, try to de-escalate this by walking away and saying that you will talk later when things calm down.
“We understand that this is easier said than done, but it will be easier to resolve conflict if both parties are calm.
“Choose your battles and weigh up if they are worth it at this time. It’s better to be proactive and get ahead of things than to let resentment build up and explode when you’re both already in bad moods.”
She also said it was important to encourage time out and space for everyone so they could unwind and have some time alone.
“All family members should have a designated place they can retreat to where they won’t be bothered.
“If possible, insert some time alone into the schedule even if it’s only for half an hour a day. Make a joint decision with your spouse to create opportunities for alone time,” she said.
