I would like to propose the No Name-Calling Marriage. Notice that I did not limit my plan to one week. By not specifying a time limit, I am implying that it has to last for the duration of the marriage.
As a marriage therapist working with 25 to 30 couples at any given time, it’s pretty rare for me to get rattled. Yet -somehow - during a marriage counseling session, when I hear about an instance of name-calling between the two spouses, it rivets my attention and disappoints me. I always stop and explain that name-calling is never a good idea in a loving relationship.
Name-calling within a relationship is usually considered to be verbal abuse. At the very least, it is a form of contempt, which is something I strive to eliminate in a relationship. I ask couples who are counseling with me to commit to no abuse any kind, and this includes verbal abuse.
Do you really want to hurt and/or put down the person you love? I certainly hope not. Don’t call that person a name. And don’t let him or her call you a name either.
Eliminating Name-Calling