This deck was designed by Colin and Heather Auschrat to encourage the development of relationship skills. The reason for this is due to the overwhelming research on the positive effects of fun on learning and skill development. The focus of these cards is on building new skills or repairing old ones that have been forgotten.
These cards are designed to be added to a standard board game or card game and played or swapped out during logical breaks in the game play. Each card has a colourful illustration and a short relationship instruction. Perform and practice the skill on the card with your partner as much as you are able.
Remember that practice is what builds skills - not simply reading it off a card once and temporarily reminding yourself of it's value. A relationship is a series of habits that we build and tie into another persons set of habits with the hopes of creating a safe healthy space for both people to grow and heal in. The more you practice the more likely you perform those skills the more likely it is that you move them to your relationship autopilot.
It is all in the effort you put into it and the willingness to learn and grow with someone.
Since these cards are meant to develop relationship skills and not damage it, start by establishing a safe way for each payer to say they are not comfortable with the card being played, if it is too close, too intimate or too difficult for either player. To avoid defensiveness and a sense of rejection we suggest sticking to the following script and agreeing ahead of time to follow it.
We hope you enjoy the free download! More cards will be added in the future, and a printed deck will be available to purchase as well.