5 questions to ask about your partner’s finances before marriage
Having financial discussions can be awkward between couples, much more so for those who are about to get married. After all, we are raised to believe that people are supposed to marry for love, not for money. Many research studies, however, have shown that money is the top source of tension in relationships, and not…
Read MoreEnding the comparison game
For most of us, from a young age we are taught – either directly or indirectly – that we know we are good, right, or valuable if our actions or personal characteristics are in line with those around us. We compare ourselves against classmates and co-workers, social and cultural norms, what is portrayed in the…
Read More7 ways to gain balance in your relationship
Most of us work hard; we’ve families to support, debts to pay, and a retirement to prepare for. But for some, it seems like work is the only focus; they work for 12 or more hours a day and six to seven days a week, regardless of their partner’s feelings on the matter. After all,…
Read More5 Keys To Growing Your Relationship With Your Parents
While it is normal for parent-child relationships to be shaky during adolescence, the conflicts and misunderstandings tend to continue into adulthood. After all, young adults are mature enough to understand what their parents have gone through by raising them. However, it’s not always a smooth transition. Studies show that there are still large numbers of…
Read More5 effective strategies to help kids develop stronger self-control
We all know children who are very impulsive. They’re the ones who throw a tantrum at the grocery store because their moms wouldn’t buy them candy. They’re the kids at the playground who nobody plays with because they’re so quick to hit or shout at other children. Impulsive children act on their emotions, regardless of…
Read MoreBuilding Empathy in Your Romantic Relationship
Connection grows when partners feel understood. Building empathy in a relationship is about feeling with your partner and responding in ways that communicate care and understanding. Even in loving relationships, empathy can fall short during stress, conflict, or daily distractions. Moments of criticism, defensiveness, or quick problem-solving often replace curiosity and openness. Over time, this…
Read MoreStrategies to Manage Your Defensiveness
We recently discussed ways to identify whether or not you are defensive in your relationship with your romantic partner. If you saw yourself in some of those descriptions and recognize that you are consistently being defensive with your partner, what are some steps you can take toward shifting that behavior into something more productive? A…
Read MoreAre You Being Defensive With Your Partner?
Romantic relationships need open communication without defensive reactions. When defensiveness in relationships shows up in subtle or frequent ways, conversations may turn into power struggles, and emotional distance grows. People often try to protect themselves from discomfort, yet this pattern creates more tension instead of relief. The topic matters because these habits influence connection, emotional…
Read More10 Ways to Get Yourself Out of a Funk
We do a lot of talking this time of year about resolutions and committing to making changes in our lives. While you might have some specific goals for yourself for the new year, like starting a yoga class or watching one less hour of television a night, perhaps you just have a loosely defined sense…
Read More5 Key Ingredients for a Good New Years Resolution
Are you planning on making a list of New Years resolutions for 2014? More importantly, do you make these lists and then consistently drop the ball and not follow through? If so, think about the overall effect of making resolutions and not sticking to them. What does it make you think and feel about yourself?…
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