Some people always seem at their best while others may not appear to ever be at their best. But one thing is for sure – when you are exhausted, rarely is your energy high or your mood great. This often is a set-up for the start of a few tense words or even for an…
I see couples daily who aren’t connected. Oh, they used to be – whether to was while they were dating or in those early years of marriage. But somewhere along the way, things became routine, they got bored, and they just sort of drifted apart. And now they find themselves married, but feeling lonely. It…
Marriage is a sacred institution, put in place by God, to bring joy and companionship to couples. At the same time, marriage is hard and is comprised of different seasons. I sat with a young couple this afternoon who have been married for few years. Life seemed to be moving along pretty well without too…
Now that may sound like a strange question, but I continue to see couples who are married – but aren’t friends. I sat with a client yesterday who pointed out what a great guy her husband is and how everyone likes him. But when it is just the two of them, it doesn’t always go…
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…
They are not fun to talk about, but we all have them – difficult seasons. Marriages seem to have several of them – the honeymoon (yes, for some this can be a challenging time); the new baby years; the everybody needs to be at their fill in the blank activity (soccer practice, band competition, gymnastics…
“What do you mean, am I defensive? What are you saying about me? Maybe I sometimes stick up for myself when somebody is attacking me? And, well, I may at times feel as though I have to explain why I did something. But defensive, why would you say that?” We have all been there. Someone…
You are cleaning the kitchen after dinner. As you wiping down the countertops, your mate asks, “Why are you using that scrubber to clean the counters?” Immediately, you find yourself in defensive mode, trying to explain, justify, and defend your actions. Maybe, he or she, is just asking out of curiosity, but you are feeling…
Whether it is a holiday, a birthday celebration, or a summer barbeque, family gatherings are always wonderful. Or are they? Often times they are. However, as I work with my clients, I find that they can also be quite stressful. I had one client a few years ago that, in a weird sort of way,…
As you read this title, you may be thinking one of two things – “Of course I support my spouse,” or “I used to support him or her, but I’ve gotten out of the habit.” Regardless of where you land, supporting each other is essential for a healthy marriage. Today I want to take a…