How much do you trust that your spouse can make good decisions? Do you ever worry that in your absence, your spouse will not make good decisions? Do you tend to argue about the choices your spouse has made? If you don’t trust that your partner can make good decisions, it is important to examine […]
First, a disclaimer: I do not have any financial investment nor do I profit from the movies or TV shows I’m going to recommend in this post. There are two movies going around right now that I think raise issues for heterosexual couples and their children that are worth bringing to your attention. They raise […]
Some marriages develop into relationships where one spouse becomes more like a parent rather than an equal partner. One person clearly becomes “in charge” and makes the majority of the decisions. The other person’s opinions are not taken into consideration and he is treated like a child. Bob and Jane had been married for ten […]
When people become emotional, they sometimes overreact. They may behave in ways they normally wouldn’t. Perhaps they behave irrationally or say things that just don’t make much sense. Despite their emotions being high, they still have that voice of reason somewhere in the back of their head. However, people sometimes choose to ignore it. For example, an argument […]
The boundaries that a couple sets with their extended family and friends is very important to the relationship. A couple who doesn’t set enough boundaries may feel frustrated when others infringe on their rights as a couple. A couple with too many boundaries may feel isolated. Determining how to set appropriate boundaries for your marriage can help […]
This post is for both you and your partner: You ought to know about each other’s health and be involved in it. Let me tell you why and what you should do now and in the future. One of my clients came to me and was concerned, not about his sex life, but his wife’s. […]
Have you ever looked at where your time goes? Most people seem to underestimate how much leisure time they have. Research studies indicate most people have more leisure time now than ever before. However, people seem to be busy with technology and report feeling they don’t have enough time to get things done. Where do […]
What could you do differently to be a better partner than you already are? If you think you’re doing “good enough” it’s likely you aren’t interested in making any changes. Part of being a good spouse means you are always striving to improve and find things you can change. Try to take a look at […]
Many people seem to settle for a mediocre marriage. It isn’t bad, but it isn’t great. Some describe it as comfortable. They recognize that it would never be considered one of the “greatest loves of all time” and they are okay with that. Having a lukewarm marriage isn’t all that fulfilling. It becomes more like […]
Have you ever stopped to think what it is that makes you feel loved? Many people know whether or not they feel loved but don’t spend much time reflecting on what that actually means. It is important to recognize what actually makes you feel loved by your partner and then communicate this to your spouse. […]
Are you guilty of using your behaviors to try and manipulate your spouse to get your way? Perhaps you’ve given the silent treatment in hopes your partner would change his mind. Or maybe you’ve embellished how bad your cold was so that your spouse would agree not to go on his fishing trip. It is important […]
Loyalty in your marriage refers to whether you uphold or damage your spouse’s public image. It is different from being faithful to your spouse, which refers to upholding your vows. Being a loyal spouse means you speak highly of your spouse’s good qualities and your spouse knows you can be counted on to defend his […]
After being with your partner for years, there is a certain level of comfort that develops. Although it is great to feel comfortable within the relationship, it can make it difficult to stay emotionally connected. It can take some extra attention to stay emotionally connected as time goes on. Part of staying emotionally connected means […]
When your partner is angry, how do you respond? Do you feel the need to try and calm your partner down? Do you promise to make things better and attempt to rectify the situation? Or do you become explosively angry back? Or maybe you just step away and both calm down. When your partner behaves […]
Are you guilty of behaving in a passive-aggressive manner in your relationship? When people are passive-aggressive they tend to outwardly appear like they agree or are “going with the flow.” However, they secretly may be very hostile or may try to sabotage the outcome. Behaving in a passive-aggressive manner does not benefit anyone. It can […]
Are you able to ask for what you want from your partner? Many people have difficulty asking for what they want or need from their partner. It is important to look at the underlying reasons that cause you to have difficulty asking for what you want. Do you think you shouldn’t have to ask? Do you […]
In today’s age, many couples have two-income families. Juggling two careers along with kids and household responsibilities can be difficult. Some people even experience extra stressors such as having to care for elderly parents an can add even more difficulty to juggling responsibilities. So how do you juggle everything? One important factor is to not expect […]
What if everyone woke up everyday and asked themselves, “What’s one thing I can do today to improve my marriage?” The divorce rate would likely be lower and people would probably report higher rates of satisfaction in their relationships. Unfortunately, most people don’t focus on finding one thing they can do to improve their relationship. […]
Marriage is about becoming one with your partner. Yet, at the same time, still being yourself. This can be a delicate balance at times when trying to stay true to who you are, without feeling like you are just living out your partner’s hopes and dreams. People who eventually have a “mid-life crisis” do so […]
In any marriage, money can be a big source of stress. It is important for financial decisions to be made as a partnership between both people. In unhealthy relationships, money can be used as a way to control or abuse the other person. Healthy marriages allow both people to benefit from financial arrangements. Each person […]
