BIG THINGS are coming August 1st! Check back then to see what's new.
BIG THINGS are coming August 1st! Check back then to see what's new.
BIG THINGS are coming August 1st! Check back in then to see what's new 👀
BIG THINGS are coming August 1st! Check back in then to see what's new 👀
BIG THINGS coming on August 1st! Check back with us then to see what's new 👀
BIG THINGS coming on August 1st! Check back with us then to see what's new 👀
Tips for A Caregiver During the Holidays
If you’ve ever been a caregiver during the holidays, you know how stressful it can be when caregiving tasks already fill your day. Heap the expectations of a joy-filled season on top of that, and there is real potential for feelings of guilt, anger, resentment and complete fatigue to take over. Many caregivers are constantly…
Embracing the Second Half of Life
A few years ago my mom attended the Wednesday night program at her place of worship. Afterward, she called me and shared the speaker’s topic: “Your Kids Don’t Want Your Stuff.” Then she asked me the dreaded question: “You really don’t want all these treasures I have accumulated through the years?”While I appreciate the sentimental significance of some of her things, I honestly appreciated the speaker’s point. This is just one of the complicated moments the second half of life often brings.Our daughter sur…
5 Ways to Say “I’m Sorry”
Have you ever seen someone say, “I’m sorry” in front of a group of people? Typically, one person thinks the apology sincere while others thought it was not. If so, you are not alone. According to Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages and The Five Languages of Apology, people speak different love languages and they also…
3 Secrets to Preventing Infidelity
Infidelity has rocked many marriages, and unfortunately, you might think that cheating is inevitable in marriage. According to psychiatrist and author Dr. Scott Haltzman, however, that is just not true. Preventing infidelity is possible. “Affairs are complicated,” says Haltzman. “Very few people actually set out to cheat on their spouse. After conducting research in this…
Our honeymoon was awful. Will our marriage be awful, too?
For many, the first week on the job is full of uncertainties, adjustments and even mistakes. Joining a new sports team or a band is sure to start off with some failed expectations, missed notes or assignments, too. I’ve worked at companies where I had an awful first week. But my time there ended up…
Education, Marriage and Child Wellbeing
Over the years, there has been a shift in the sequence of marriage and parenthood. Remember the rhyme? “First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage…” Not so – at least anymore. In fact, 57 percent of mothers between the age of 26 and 31 are unmarried when their child…
Navigating Through Differences in a Relationship
Every time I introduce myself to a group, I always lead with the fact that I have been married for 24.5 years. I often see wide eyes and hear deep sighs after that. Then I tell them we’ve been together for 30 years, which is often longer than some of the participants have been alive.…
Caring for the Caregiver
As part of her job, Amy Boulware walks alongside caregivers. So when she found herself caregiving for her grandmother and mother, she thought she had the tools she needed. “I did not expect to be caregiving for two,” says Boulware. “My grandmother moved closer so we could take care of her. Shortly after she moved,…
Affair-Proofing Your Marriage
Eric was married with two children. Life at home was good, and he considered his relationship with his wife to be healthy. They frequently spent time together and intimacy between the two of them was good.
Couples Who Play Together
When was the last time you and your mate played together? Seriously… can you remember the last time you did something crazy fun together? In far too many marriages, couples throw play out the window and replace it with serious adult responsibilities like careers, raising children, taking care of elderly parents, household chores and community…
5 Ways to Stoke the Fire of Passion in Marriage
In his song Too Cold at Home, Mark Chesnutt sings, “It’s too hot to fish, too hot for golf and too cold at home.” Even if it’s boiling outside, it can be cold at home when it comes to your marriage. Over time, many people seem to be willing to let sexual intimacy fly right…
4 Keys for Taking Up a Hobby Together
During the Yamadas’ adventurous marriage, there haven’t been many dull moments. “I wouldn’t describe either of us as risk-takers, but we are definitely not afraid to try new things,” says Mrs. Yamada. “We enjoy ballroom dancing, mountain biking and scuba diving, but I couldn’t see either of us bungee jumping.” Several years ago, the Yamadas…
Fun Ways to Jazz Up Your Marriage
David and Claudia Arp believe that fun in marriage is serious business. They have written several books on marriage together, including the 10 Great Dates series, and they love helping couples jazz up their marriage. “In our 30-plus years of marriage, we have learned important things like, if you don’t say what is on your mind…
Celebrate Your Anniversary!
Do you remember the date of your wedding anniversary? If you didn’t cheat and look at the engraved date on your wedding band, give yourself some points.How many years have you been married? If you had to think to figure it out, take away some points.How did you celebrate your last anniversary? Did you remember without having to ask your spouse what you did?If the answer is yes, give yourself a few more points. Add some points to your total if you did something fun as a coupl…
7 Ways to Reduce Your Risk for Divorce Before Marriage
Engaged couples spend endless amounts of time planning for their special day. In the excitement of wedding showers, choosing the flowers and the cake, and finding the perfect dress, some wonder if they can make it work. They don’t necessarily question their love for each other, although some actually do. It’s more about wondering if…
Infidelity and Forgiveness
Popular talk shows imply that everybody intentionally cheats in marriage.“In reality, most people don’t cheat,” says Kristina Coop Gordon, co-author of Getting Past the Affair. “Based on research, approximately 40 percent of married people cheat on their spouse. Studies indicate the person most likely to cheat is someone who is dissatisfied with their relationship and/or feels insecure about themselves.
Mad About Us, Part 1
Over the past 30 years, Gary and Carrie Oliver have worked with literally thousands of couples. Some were preparing for marriage while others were trying to figure out how to make their marriage work. “Every couple we have worked with began their marriage with a proclamation of their love and commitment to stay together ‘until…
Mad About Us, Part 2
Read Mad About Us, Part 1 here.Almost daily, unhealthy anger causes some kind of devastation. It could be anything from child abuse or domestic violence to road rage, or to children methodically preparing to harm their teacher. The emotion of anger in and of itself isn’t the problem, though.
Addiction and Marriage, Part 1
When David and Ellen* married, Ellen never suspected David might be an alcoholic. “We had a large time with friends and family,” Ellen says. “I knew he drank a lot, but it didn’t cause issues for us. I never felt unsafe. My life looked very normal to everyone around us. David was a good provider…
For the Guys: Tips for Putting Your Wife First (Without Hurting Mom’s Feelings)
When you tie the knot, family relationships change. Your mom was probably your first teacher, encourager and biggest cheerleader. And chances are, she’s one of the first people you’ve gone to for advice since… well, as long as you can remember. But now things are different, and while your mom is still there for you,…