“Connecting practices? You mean like playing with the toys?” No, that would be K’nex (Don’t worry – I didn’t know it was spelled that way either). I am talking about normal practices that you have with your spouse, your kids, or even your grandkids. For example – do you and your spouse kiss each other…
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According to the 2020 World Regret Survey of more than 15,000 people from 105 countries, 80% said that they experience occasional regret, approximately 20% reported regret most all the time, and only 1% stated they never feel regret. If you are part of the 1%, you may believe that is a good place to be.…
DetailsRelationships Tip Tuesdays March 9, 2021 Do You Have a Windshield Wiper Marriage? – Part 2 Last time we began to examine whether or not we might be in a “Windshield Wiper Marriage.” This was defined as a marriage that gets the job (of raising kids) done but without necessarily interacting as spouses. Just as…
DetailsNow this may sound like a strange question. But think about it – what do windshield wipers do? You may be thinking, “Isn’t it obvious? They get the rain off of the windshield.” While that is certainly correct, I want you to visualize how they operate. “Hmm, well they are synchronized and operate together to…
DetailsFollowing the Dallas Cowboys first Super Bowl when in the 1970s, many expected them to repeat as champions the following year. But they didn’t. While some players came back and worked with the same intensity that next season, others looked at the ring on their finger and were satisfied that they had achieved “the ultimate.”…
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While I have been in the counseling field for over 25 years, I don’t believe that I have ever seen so many of my clients experiencing feelings of anxiety and isolation. Prior to the COVID pandemic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 20% of Americans felt isolated and lonely. The report…
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As most couples approach marriage, they usually have dreams of partnering with their future mate in ways that allow them to be companions and teammates. They hope to be on the same page. However, as time goes by, and they discover glaring differences, they often are prone to petty criticisms. For example, I recently had…
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While most of us think about the holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s) as days to look forward to, just as many often cringe when they think about what is in store for them. You see, not all family get-to-gathers always go well. You may even dread them. I have one client, who is an…
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I was touched a few months ago by a demonstration of empathy that was heart-warming but in an unexpected place. It was during an incredible NFL playoff game featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills. It was a hard-fought back and forth game with two outstanding quarter backs – Josh Allen and Patrick…
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For many couples, this can be a trigger word. I have certainly worked with spouses who are both pretty spontaneous, which typically works OK. However, the bigger challenges are faced by those husbands and wives where one is spontaneous and the other is not. There are those who like to fly by the seat of…
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