grow

This is the final part of a 4 part series. Read the 3rd HERE Have a signal for a time-out and know when to use it. Good coaches know when to call a time out that will be helpful for a team.  Couples can learn this technique too.  Often with complex issues (aka red, hot, [...]

This is part 3 of a 4 part series. Read part 2 HERE Develop patience.  Sustain it. Think about what your spouse says in terms of who your spouse is.   When a conversation is stressful, find a way to relieve the stress.  A deep breath can work wonders.  The relationship becomes stronger when there [...]

This is part 2 of a 4 part series. You can read the first part HERE More guidelines for finding middle ground in a relationship: No name calling Speak honestly and judiciously Name calling.  It is easy to fall into this pattern in a relationship.  Perhaps it is a familiar pattern within your family of origin.  “You’re [...]

This is part 1 in a 4 part series Opposites attract.  This is true in the realm of physics, but is often true in relationships also.  I sometimes sit with couples who are on opposite ends of the communication spectrum.  What once brought them together now divides. Having a place of emotional safety is paramount [...]

As a man demonstrates his love by doing things not done before, how does the woman show her appreciation and thus, the respect, that a man needs? Well, to begin with, when he is attempting new things, allow for mistakes. If his intentions are well meant, remember to give him some latitude in making errors. [...]

More women are in the workforce than ever before. The need for both parties to work together harder at a relationship now also exists. But what does that look like? As women have undertaken the responsibility to create extra income and a more pleasurable way of life, wouldn’t it only be reasonable that men share [...]

This is second and final part of looking at how the economy is changing families. I know many young adults who feel the economy has messed with their life plans. Not only is the economy contributing to the increase of young adults moving back home to live with their parents, they are also waiting longer [...]

One of my favorite bands is The Civil Wars. One of the first songs I heard was called “Poison and Wine”. The song is about the realization of a couple that their marriage is not perfect and frankly, that they do not even like each other sometimes, but they are committed to each other. They [...]

Mothers are the world’s best jugglers: family, work, money—they seem to do it all. However, all that responsibility can often leave moms feeling overstretched and stressed out. According to a 2006 survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), women are more affected by stress than men and report engaging in unhealthy behaviors such as comfort [...]

Wish you could know if your relationship or marriage would be happily ever after or end in heartache. Well, research by John Gottman, PhD on couple relationships has come a long way and has found 4 negative interactions that if allowed to run wild in your relationship will likely destroy the relationship. Here are the [...]