Celebs Dish On What It Means To Be A Good Partner

When leafing through the files of relationships past, every woman asks herself “am I a good girlfriend?” And what does that mean anyway? We don’t know if we’ll ever come up with a definite answer. But in a mean time, these celebs dish on what it means to be a good partner. Do you agree?

Tamera Mowry

What does being a good wife mean to Tamera Mowry? Following he mother’s example. Tamera told Essence:

“My mom was such an amazing example. She was a mom, wife, and a career woman. I just want to be there for my husband.

I don’t ever want him to think that he’s not getting everything at home — love, attention, encouragement, a meal. I just want him to feel the best he feels at home. I think that’s what a good wife is. Someone who is very attentive to her husband.”

Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana says that being a good woman is all about making sure you’re with the right man. Her advice? Never settle:

“If you’re not happy with a person, leave. And wait until you find that one person who makes you feel good about yourself every single day and is not expecting you to change, but to grow.”

Angelina Jolie

Angelina says that even she doesn’t feel up to par sometimes, but having a good husband helps keep her balanced:
“We have moments where I say, ‘I’m going to be a better wife! I’m going to learn to cook,’ and he says, ‘Oh honey, know what you’re good at, know what you’re not.’ He knows my limitations and where I’m a good wife and a good mom.”

Taj

SWV’s Taj says when it comes to being a good wife to her husband Eddie George, love is all you need:

“Be the most loving wife that you can be. I think love really does conquer all. When you marry somebody, you know that for better or worse definitely comes. As long as you love them, you’re willing to go through the ups and downs with them.”

Steve Harvey

With How To Think Like A Man selling it’s umpteenth copy as we speak, Steve Harvey says that the key to letting men know that you’re a good woman is to act like a “keeper.” According to Steve, being high-maintenance is key:

“That brings me to the “keeper,” a woman who commands respect, and the “sport fish,” a girl with no rules who keeps things “day to day.” Popular culture seems to favour the second kind: the low-maintenance woman, the non-nag. You preach the opposite.

It’s you, the woman, who has the power to determine whether you’re a keeper or a throwback. It’s the way you act, it’s your standards, it’s what you’re willing to accept, what you will put up with. A woman has a right to know when she’s going to get married, if you’re going to marry her. A woman should not be at a guy’s beck and call. That’s ridiculous.”

Do you agree?

Kaley Cuoco

The Big Bang Theory star says that, for her, being a good woman means sticking to old-fashioned values:

“I cook for Ryan five nights a week: It makes me feel like a housewife; I love that. I know it sounds old-fashioned, but I like the idea of women taking care of their men. I’m so in control of my work that I like coming home and serving him. My mom was like that, so I think it kind of rubbed off.”

Well, at least we know that Ryan won’t go hungry any time soon.

Tyrese

Singer Tyrese has been under fire for several of his online comments. But he says the advice in the relationship book he wrote with Rev. Run is good enough to take to the bank. And for him, part of being a good man is being careful about the company you keep:

“If a man is in a relationship, or if he’s married, I would be more concerned with that man hanging around a whole bunch of single dudes because single dudes have single dude intentions. If you’re a married man, as well as a married woman, I believe you should start hanging out with people that are where you are in life. I think you are the company you keep.”

Does you agree with his point?

Gabrielle Union

How does Gabby play good wife to her husband Dwyane Wade? She says it’s all about laying on the affection:

“DO show him your feelings. Daily. Dwyane generally gets up before I do to go to the gym, and he’s never left without kissing me and telling me he loves me. As for me, I am complimentary to the point where I am almost a little Chester the Molester-y. I think he’s so delicious. Watching him get out of the shower never gets old. Never. It’s not like he ever wonders what I’m thinking, but usually he’s thinking, She needs a cold shower!”

It certainly looks like they’re on to something.

Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner says being a good woman can be hard for a log of women because we’re fixers by nature. But Jen says that sometimes the key to being a good partner is to let go of control:
“My mom gave me a good piece of advice. She said never marry a man thinking you can change him, and I think that starts from your first date when you’re in the seventh grade onwards. Women are fixers so we have to just not fix. Don’t fix.”

Nahla Aubry

Who says you have to be all grown up to give good advice. Halle says that little Nahla put together this list on how to be a good spouse for one of he mom’s co-stars who’s getting hitched:

10. Have fun and dance
9. Talk a lot
8. Keeps your cars together
7. Always go the same way
6. Be helpful and nice
5. Keep each other safe
4. Don’t fight out loud
3. Keep nice to your boyfriend
2. Stick together, like stick yourselves together
1. You need to kiss

Watch Halle talk about her super-smart daughter’s advice above.

Denzel Washington

How do you keep your partner happy for 32 years and counting? Denzel says it’s all about patience and tempering arguments. “Marriage,” Denzel says, “is a marathon, not a sprint.”