When the man in my life was laid off recently, I knew that it was important for me to help weather the storm.  Since this scenerio is an uncomfortably common occurence in this time of recession, I thought it might help to give you some tips to weathering your own storm, if you are in the midst of one right now.

When a spouse suffers a job loss, the strain on a marriage or relationship can cause not just financial but emotional problems as well. Romance tends to go down the tubes; and some studies even suggest a higher divorce rate within a year of unemployment.

While it's normal to lose some self-confidence during a time of great financial pressure, there are ways to avoid becoming a statistic.  Don't lose sight of what really matters-love.  It's all about respecting one another.  Concentrate on being supportive, rather than playing the blame game.  Remember that money can be an explosive topic that pushes a lot of buttons, and can be difficult to talk about.  To avoid the resentment that can build, find time to talk without the kids being around.  Enlist a friend's help to babysit if need be, and devote two solid hours to really communicate and discuss the issues calmly. Try to work out a Plan A and a Plan B, and be ready to assess your options.

Try to remember that the tension in the relationship is due to money woes, and remind each other of your committment to the marriage or relationship.  Showing honest support, compassion and respect can help lagging libidos from taking a nose-dive. And while it might sound like a band-aid fix, nothing helps a man stay connected in a relationship like sex.  Knowing that you are supportive and love him through even the worst-case scenerio will help him stay confident until the storm clouds pass.