Dream About and Envision the Future Together This isn’t putting off life until training is over, but rather seeing a future where the two of you are together and in love. Frequently discuss plans and dreams together. Where do we want to be in ten years? Where should we vacation to celebrate when all this…
Maybe it was at a bridal shower or your wedding reception, or maybe it was written within a congratulation card from an old neighbor or during a heart to heart conversation with your grandmother before the big day, but I’m guessing that somewhere along the line, you were told that the key to a successful…
In 2009, Gary Chapman coined the phrase, “Love Languages” with the publication of his book, “The Five Love Languages.” A love language is a way someone hears and interprets love. Just like a verbal language in which someone understands another’s intentions, meaning, and message. If I were to speak to my partner in Japanese, he…
Were you aware of these common mistakes you might be making with your children? Surprisingly, many parents do these very things and don’t realize they may be emotionally hurting their kids. In my recent interview with SheKnows Parenting, I explained some common traps that parents fall into that may be sending kids the wrong…
Have you read Dr. Sue Johnson’s books Love Sense and Hold Me Tight, but are still looking for a clear and simple understanding of what emotionally focused therapy is about? Then this book is for you! Drs. Brent Bradley and Jim Furrow do an excellent job describing what connection and security in relationships looks…
Have you ever wondered what the most effective way to ruin a relationship would be? Below are 9 simple and surefire ways to sabotage yours. 1. Criticize your partner, point out all his or her flaws, and demand that he or she fix them. This kind of interaction will certainly help things fall apart quickly. …
Many parents struggle with knowing how much they should be involved in their child’s media use. Read this article, Should I Read my Kid’s Texts, on allParenting to see my thoughts about this important topic.
As the wife of a cancer surgeon, I hear about cancer cases every day. The young father who found colon cancer early and is expected to make a full recovery or the grandmother who is being treated for a tiny lump found during a routine mammogram. I also hear about the patient who has a tumor…
Tired of the same old marriage tips? Some of my suggestions were recently featured in Woman’s Day Magazine. Have you tried these before? Hug for 2 minutes and kiss for 30 seconds each day. “Often, kisses and hugs become mechanical and quick,” says marriage and family therapist Kim Blackham. The problem: Those hurried pecks and embraces don’t…
When I think back to the formal relationship education I was given as a child, it centered around two main ideas: “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all,” and “Remember the Golden Rule: Treat others how you would want to be treated.” I don’t know about you, but both of those…
Weddings bring all sorts of emotions to the surface, and not always pleasant ones. Blended families can be especially difficult for everyone to know how to navigate these potentially tenuous waters. Check out this PBS article for some advice I have for the stepmother of the bride.
A traveler was walking alone down a country lane. The Sun and the North Wind decided to have a contest to see who could remove the traveler’s overcoat. The North Wind tried first. He blew and he blew around the traveler as fiercely as he could, trying to rip the coat from the traveler–but…