9 Ways to Be a Better Girlfriend

Your relationship will thank you.

A Little Extra Help - The expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit for married couples and families with three or more children provides tax cuts averaging $500 to 6 million families. (Photo: Radius Images/Getty Images)

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Her Best Side - When things are not working out in your relationship, are you quick to blame the other person? If so, perhaps now is the time to start taking responsibility for your part to give you some much needed perspective. Read on for some tips on being the best partner you can be. By Kellee Terrell(Photo: Radius Images/GettyImages)

What Are His Racial Politics? - Whether he is white, Asian, Latino, etc., it is important to have conversations about his racial politics, specifically how he feels about Black people. If he has negative things to say and then says things like, “But I’m not talking about you, you’re not like that,” throw those deuces because he won’t change. (Photo: Tetra Images/Getty Images)

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It’s Not All About You - When you’re single, your whole world revolves around your wants and desires, but being in a relationship means having to take into account someone else’s feelings, too. Are you all always going to places where you want to go? Or watching movies that you want to see? Remember, it’s about give and take and compromise. Check yourself. (Photo: Tetra Images/Getty Images)

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Put in the Time - Our lives are filled with meetings, brunches, baby showers, projects, traveling, etc. And while you should never have to apologize for your life, being a good girlfriend means making the time to fit your boo into that amazing life of yours. Quality time is what strengthens your bond.(Photo: Fuse/GettyImages)

He Can Be Hard to Find - Emotionally unavailable folks can often be physically unavailable, too. He may pop up when it’s convenient for him, then disappear for a week with or without excuses. (Photo: GettyImages)

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Let Him Live - A couple that stalks each other is a doomed couple. Spending time together and being attentive is important, but that’s not the same as being up under him all the time. Stop excessively texting, emailing, G-chatting and Instagramming all day (and vice-versa). You both have lives to live outside of each other and friends to see. (Photo: GettyImages)

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Learn to Fight Fair - Do you hit below the belt during arguments? If you want to keep your boo around, rethink this tactic. You can still be mad, and still communicate your discontent with your relationship and/or their behavior, but do it in a way that is constructive and ushers in real communication.(Photo: GettyImages)

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Emotionally Unavailable - If he is responsive and admits his previous wrongdoings, then this is a good step in the right direction. On the other hand, if he shuts down or refuses to discuss what happened in the past, then he is stuck in his stubborn ways or not emotionally invested. Either way, his lack of responsiveness and emotional availability are questionable.  (Photo: Image Source/Getty Images)

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Speak Your Mind When It Counts - A good girlfriend isn’t a pushover or a Stepford Wife. A good girlfriend is one who is genuine and creates boundaries with her mate. Speaking your mind when it counts doesn’t make you aggressive or masculine; it makes you honest and he should respect you more for this.(Photo: Image Source/Getty Images)

Let Him Know You Love Him - Being vulnerable isn’t easy to do, especially when you’ve been hurt in the past. But showing your man that you love him or doing nice things for him doesn’t make you submissive or weak. It’s not about gender roles, it’s about love. Just make sure that what you put out is being reciprocated.(Photo: Corbis)

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Let Him Know You Love Him - Being vulnerable isn’t easy to do, especially when you’ve been hurt in the past. But showing your man that you love him or doing nice things for him doesn’t make you submissive or weak. It’s not about gender roles, it’s about love. Just make sure that what you put out is being reciprocated.(Photo: Corbis)

Don’t Freak Out Over Everything - You cannot freak out over every little thing he does and says. He isn’t perfect, just like you aren’t. Being in a relationship means learning to put up with some things, like the way he puts up with your differences. Now, if everything he is doing is getting on your nerves, perhaps it’s time to find a new boo.(Photo: Eric Raptosh Photography/Blend Images)

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Don’t Freak Out Over Everything - You cannot freak out over every little thing he does and says. He isn’t perfect, just like you aren’t. Being in a relationship means learning to put up with some things, like the way he puts up with your differences. Now, if everything he is doing is getting on your nerves, perhaps it’s time to find a new boo.(Photo: Eric Raptosh Photography/Blend Images)

Respect His Interests - No, you don’t have to host football parties at your house because he loves the NFL. But there is something about making the effort to take his likes into consideration, or understand that if the big game is coming on, he might want to have beers with his friends instead of going to the movies with you—and that should be OK sometimes.(Photo: Michael Patrick O'Leary/Corbis)

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Respect His Interests - No, you don’t have to host football parties at your house because he loves the NFL. But there is something about making the effort to take his likes into consideration, or understand that if the big game is coming on, he might want to have beers with his friends instead of going to the movies with you—and that should be OK sometimes.(Photo: Michael Patrick O'Leary/Corbis)

Love Yourself More - That saying, “If you don’t love yourself, who the hell else will?” is the truth. Women who are looking for someone to complete them are in for a rude awakening. The only person who can make you feel complete is you! Once you find happiness in that, then you can be an incredible partner to someone else.(Photo: Zero Creatives/cultura/Corbis)

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Love Yourself More - That saying, “If you don’t love yourself, who the hell else will?” is the truth. Women who are looking for someone to complete them are in for a rude awakening. The only person who can make you feel complete is you! Once you find happiness in that, then you can be an incredible partner to someone else.(Photo: Zero Creatives/cultura/Corbis)