We frequently read those startling statistics regarding the number of hours that teens spend with their eyes glued to their computer screens, phones, or television. But a recent study reported that parents might have a lot more in common with their teens than you might imagine. “Common Sense Media,” a nonprofit organization, found that parents…
DetailsYou may have just read that question and thought, “This Ham guy has lost it this time. Shouldn’t he be asking about what I am most thankful for?” Well, yes, maybe I should. Actually, maybe I am. Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that is guaranteed to upset the applecart when it comes to two…
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I often get a variety of responses when I ask a question like this. Unfortunately, some may respond with, “I had dreams for my marriage when I was younger, but those are long gone.” Others might say, “I will deal with my dreams sometime in the future.” In talking with my financial advisor recently, he…
DetailsWhen reading that question you may think, “I don’t have any unspoken rules,” and perhaps you don’t – now. But my suspicion is that you probably have a few, and when you were first married you had a ton of them. You see “unspoken rules” are those ways that we have of doing things that…
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It was not that long ago that a read an intriguing article, Which Generation Has The Best Marriages? by Haydin Shaw. For my purposes here I simply want to look at the strengths different generations have to offer one another when it comes to marriage. The Traditionalists (Born before 1946) This group of couples value…
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Have you ever heard someone make the statement, “He/She just brings out the worst in me?” Usually, the statement is made by the person who has just reacted angrily, said something inappropriate, or done something foolish. But rather than own their misbehavior, they attempt to place the blame on the other person by making it…
DetailsI recently received the following humorous story from a friend. A husband went to police station to report his missing wife: Husband : I’ve lost my wife, she went shopping yesterday & has still not come home…. Sergeant : What is her height ? Husband : Oh, 5 something . . . Sergeant : Build?…
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“I’m really frustrated because I arrived home, expecting dinner, only to discover that nothing had even been done, no effort had even been made to start dinner!” Why did this person expect dinner to be ready? It might be because every other night dinner has been prepared. Or it could be that the person grew…
DetailsA New York University researcher reported last year that in a study which allowed people to bend the rules (cheat), individuals were more likely to do so in order to avoid loss rather than to make a gain. I experience this application to marriage on a daily basis. As I encounter couples in my counseling…
Details“She is such a pig. I mean, she leaves messes everywhere.” He continues, “I feel like I work all day and then come home and have to do everything.” “I can’t believe you are saying that,” she replied. “Yesterday when I got home I fixed you dinner and cleaned up everything. So, I don’t know…
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