In my last “Relationships Tip Tuesdays” I began discussing the ways in which we often unwittingly build up walls (sometimes massive) between us and our mate. Typically we find ourselves feeling hurt or discounted by the other person and the trust and safety that we once felt begins to slowly erode. We may find ourselves…
Do you remember when you first began dating your mate? I know that for some, that may have been a long time ago. But one of the things that we hopefully experience that keeps us coming back, is a sense that we can trust this person. We trust them not just to be physically safe…
There are a handful of topics that can easily derail a couple and finances is near the top of the list. Sometimes the issue is most challenging because there is just not enough money to make ends meet. But for many, the bigger issue is disagreement with how best for a couple to manage their…
Now my wife would say “No.” She does not like to be the center of attention. However, she likes to have my attention just as I like to have hers. A 2017 study on relationship experiences was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. The research found that on days that a person’s…
While I certainly pray that is not the case, Jamil Zaki, a Stanford psychologist and director of its Social Neuroscience Laboratory, states, “If you wanted to design a system to break empathy, you could scarcely do better than the society we’ve created.” He believes that we are becoming more and more disengaged, citing the amount…
My wife and I have four grandkids ranging from 6 months to 4 years of age. As I have watched the newest one with her mother, I continue to be fascinated with the bonding process. I know from watching Erica interacting with our granddaughter, just how vital and easily that connection can happen. And securely…
Now at first glance, that question may be confusing. Someone once described addiction as “any coping mechanism or substance used to escape feelings.” This can refer to a variety of issues: alcohol, drugs, gambling, and sex, just to name a few. And one of the ways that a sexual addiction can show up is in…
Have you ever noticed that you have great insight and advice for your family members, but they often respond to your sage wisdom with a “Yea, sure Dad – whatever you say?” Don’t your spouse and kids know what an insightful perspective you have? If only they would heed your brilliance, their lives would function…
These past few months may go down in history as the months that weren’t, or at least it has felt that way. People have been quarantined, ordered to stay at home and shelter in place, wear masks, socially distance, as well as other restrictions. Being forced to stay at home has had some predictable consequences.…
I don’t know about you, but most of the time I need all the clues I can get – just ask my wife. But let me back up; you are probably wondering “Clues about what?” Most of us have probably walked into a restaurant and seen a couple, or perhaps an entire family, sitting at…