L — Look for the best in others! First impressions happen quickly—and they go both ways! It’s best to treat others the way we’d like to be treated. I want other individuals to give me a chance before taking a tally of my faults! So, look for—and point out—great traits you see in other people.…
Do you ever wonder why some couples have better communication skills and intimacy from day one of their marriage, while others seem to crater within the first year? Or why some of your married friends make it through difficult times better than other couples you know? Most Americans want to be married at some point…
Have you lost that loving feeling when it comes to the relationship with your spouse? As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I meet a fair amount of people who feel they no longer have the ability to “date their spouse.” As they allow me to step into their relational constructs, I usually find a common thread.…
Raising children is a joyful experience for most parents. Holding a new “little bundle of joy” in their earliest days of life can be indescribable. It’s an experience most parents enjoy with overflowing love in their hearts. On the flip side, becoming a stepparent is sometimes a very different experience. In most cases, you don’t get…
When is the best time to talk with kids about sexuality? The earlier, the better! For general growth changes, it’s great to “grow” these conversations along with your child’s physical growth. Meaning—start talking with them in their preschool years about simple matters related to their bodies. Talk about the uniqueness of their body compared to that of…
When was the last time you and your significant other went on a date? Has it been weeks, months, or even years? With busy schedules (and possibly several young kids at home), date night often becomes the last priority for many couples. Without intentional planning, “couple time” never makes the calendar. Not only can it…
As a newlywed (almost two years), I’m the first to admit that I am NOT an expert on marriage. There are certainly more individuals who are wiser and have MANY more years under their belt. But when I was newly engaged—so eager and excited to start the next chapter of life with my fiancé—I was…
As a single adult, you may feel like everyone else has found their true love and living in wedded bliss! Well, you may be surprised at some recent statistics. Single adults actually represent 45.2% of the American population over 18 years of age. Even though that’s close to half of the population, many singles still…
Has your relationship become more lifeless than lively? It might be a sign that your marriage is overdue for some fun! Consider these ideas to help spark things up a bit: Recreational Intimacy One of the ways we identify with our mates is to be “team focused.” It’s a great time of year to join a new…
It’s not exactly breaking news to say that men and women converse differently. This fact has been obvious to most of us from days we played together on the school playground! And many of us have read the popular book—or at least shared the opinion—that Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus. Just sayin’—we’re…