When there are problems in a marriage, spouses can have very different ideas about the best course for tackling them. So it’s not surprising that while one person might feel that marriage counseling is a viable solution, the other might not buy into it or be suspicious. While it takes two people to make a marriage work, it doesn’t necessarily take two people sitting on a therapist’s couch to have a positive influence on the relationship.
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There are only 24 hours in a day, and we have to choose how to use them. Often we feel stressed because there is not a balance between our responsibilities and what we enjoy. Our lives naturally fall out of balance from time to time, so we have to set time aside to assess how things are going, and what we might need to change to make sure our daily lives reflect what’s important to us.
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We hear a lot of helpful tips about ways that spending quality time together helps couples strengthen their marriage, find new, common interests and keep the relationship fresh. Trying a new hobby, meeting new friends and even just making time for regular date nights are just a few examples of ways couples can grow closer in the relationship, especially during those times when the stuff of everyday life seems to risk squeezing out any room for intimacy (and not just the bedroom kind).But there’s another, often-overlooked activity that some couples report has done wonders for their relationship: community service.
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June 26, 2014
by Christie Hunter
Becoming a parent is like a dream come true, particularly if the baby is your first born. However, these happy emotions are also accompanied by the fear of losing your old life. Mothers worry about taking care of the baby, while fathers usually have financial considerations. If someone is comfortable with his/her routine, then resisting any major change is natural.
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Intimacy is one of the most important facets of a relationship. It is the connection and bond formed between two individuals; and the deeper the connection and bond, the higher the intimacy. In a relationship, intimacy can be experienced both emotionally and physically. When it comes to sex, some believe the act of sex creates deeper intimacy, whereas others feel that intimacy leads to sex.
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Sex is an uncomfortable topic for an awful lot of people, as if by definition it’s dirty and shameful. Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s one of the most natural, human elements of life, and one of the healthiest, too, when it’s sex between two people who love, respect and are committed to each other.
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June 18, 2014
by Caleen Martin
Why is it that we are so good at caring for others and so dysfunctional when it comes to caring for ourselves? Our culture has trained us to be givers, not takers. The problem is that being the proverbial 'good girl/boy' will literally rob us of our lives. We find that we never seem to have time for ourselves, our relationships become one-sided and we become more resentful towards others over time.
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You have been dating for a while, a few years; maybe more. You get along with your significant other beautifully. You have a warm friendship, you trust each other, you get along with each other's family, and you couldn't imagine your life without your special someone. But are you ready to be married?
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June 12, 2014
by Christie Hunter
Chronic illness or disability is not only challenging for children, but parents dealing with such children also have to tolerate constant pressure and stress. This not only impacts their nerves and overall health, but also affects their marital relation. Many authors overlook the fact while discussing the long-term effects of chronic illness on children, but this is a fact that early childhood developmental delays or sickness can damage the marital relation of a couple beyond repair. Apart from the constant stress and challenges associated with the early childhood illness, lack of awareness on this subject is also responsible for stressed martial relation after a child is diagnosed with chronic illness or disability (Lana, 2013).
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One of the hardest things to do, whether it is with a partner, a friend, a parent, or someone else, is to earn trust. Even harder is earning trust from someone who was hurt in the past. Even if they were hurt by someone other than you, people who have been burnt tend to have a hard time trusting, in general. Here are some things you can do to earn the trust of someone who has been hurt in the past.
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