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…
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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…
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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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…
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…
DetailsWe 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 come in from work exhausted to the smell of freshly baked bread. Following the scent, you head for the kitchen but along with way you trip over a toy carelessly left in your path. Immediately your blood begins to boil. Arriving in the kitchen you find your spouse who is baking the bread along…
DetailsA couple of years ago, my wife and I were able to spend a few days in the Grand Canyon area. If you have never been there, you might think it is just a hole in the ground, which it is. But it is so much more. It is an incredible, beautiful, miraculous site that…
DetailsDuring the last three weeks we have been looking at how technology impacts our most precious relationships. In recent years, cells phones have begun to occupy greater and greater prominence in our lives. While it certainly puts the world at our fingertips, it also has contributed to incredible strain on our most significant relationships. We…
DetailsAs a Marriage and Family Therapist, I have the opportunity to be involved in a fair amount of pre-marital counseling with couples. I am always excited to see couples make this a priority in their relationship steps because it tells me that they are being intentional about protecting the commitment that they are making to…
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