As you think about that question, several people may run through your mind. Some, as you think about them, may be scratched off of your list, while others are rock solid. Unfortunately, individuals sit in my office almost daily, telling me of someone whom they deeply trusted only to be betrayed at some point. Last…
Details“Well,” you think, “I live with my spouse,” or “my spouse and our kids.” While that is certainly true but I’m looking a little deeper. You see, when we get married we typically feel that we are marrying the ideal person. However, as the months and years go by, we may begin to find them,…
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The question that I am asking is this – do kids prefer people or animals? In a universal ethical principles game developed by MIT researchers, some surprising results were revealed. When children were placed in a hypothetical situation that involved human versus animal life, they frequently chose to send a car careening into a person…
DetailsI recently had a discussion in my university Marriage and Family class regarding finances, which is often seen as a major source of marital conflict. The discussion centered around debt and financial priorities. It was interesting to hear what various students would go into debt for. The list ranged from houses and cars to televisions…
DetailsEarlier this week I had the privilege of being interviewed by a radio station in Ohio. As we discussed the challenges of marriage, we began to explore the details of relationships that have “gone cold.” These may be couples who have not given needed attention to their relationship, resulting in a staleness or complacency. On…
DetailsYou find yourself in one of those discussions again that just doesn’t feel good. A disagreement has arisen with your spouse and you are trying to work through it. But something is eating at you. You find yourself irritated and you are not sure why. You feel as though you are being condescended to; almost…
DetailsWe have all experienced those times when we have walked into the room and our spouse has “that look.” I have heard it called the “evil eye,” or the “stink eye”, but regardless of what you call it – we all know the look. We used to get it from our parents. We didn’t like…
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We all have times when conversation flows pretty easily, as well as other occasions when communication can be strained. Then there are those times when it is downright difficult. So, what can you do to jump start your conversations with your mate? I want to suggest 4 strategies today to help reinvigorate your communication. 1)…
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Remember when you were dating your future spouse and you seemed to agree on everything? You wanted two children and so did he. You both liked Italian food, wanted to travel, enjoyed hiking, and had the same spiritual goals. Nothing could be better. However, once you got married, you discovered that you weren’t quite as…
Details“The stories we love are filled with struggle, conflict, and failure, yet so often the stories we present to others are a highlight reel of accomplishments, perfect meals, and sunny days.” – Brian Bailey. As I reflect upon this quote, I realize the many ways that we see the truth of his statement. Think about…
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