We often hear that “It’s not the quantity of time we have together but the quality of time that counts.” While this isn’t completely accurate, because we need a certain quantity of time in order to have quality time. I mean, if I have good quality time with my spouse for 5 minutes a day,…
You’ve been married for 20 years plus. Life with your spouse has become predictable. For the most part, you know each other’s habits and idiosyncrasies, and maybe can even complete each other’s sentences. So, the question is – is there anything left to learn. While it may not feel as though there is, I would…
I just finished sitting with a couple who are exhausted! In the last four years they have moved to 5 different states, one of them has been fighting off a significant health challenge, and they are attempting to navigate life with an 18 year old high school senior with ADHD. So, if you were guessing,…
I just finished a session with a client who is very much walking on eggshells. He is anxious, his stomach is in knots, his blood pressure is up, and he has been on the verge of a panic attack. Why? Because there are some issues he knows that he needs to discuss with his mate,…
As you read that title, you may immediately pull up images of people that contribute to your happiness, as well as those who don’t. You may think of how well you get along with certain friends or where you clash with siblings (or the other way around). But according to the Journal of Personality and…
It’s been a long week and you are looking forward to going out to dinner with your spouse. For some reason you have been thinking all day about Mexican food. Your mouth is watering for some chips and salsa. Your mate comes through the door and says, “I’m hungry. I thought maybe we could try…
We all have times when conversation flows pretty easily, as well as other occasions when communication can be strained. Then there are those times when it is downright difficult. So, what can you do to jump start your conversations with your mate? I want to suggest 4 strategies today to help reinvigorate your communication. 1)…
So, how does your marriage stack up with everyone else’s? Are you doing better than most or are you fearful that you are falling behind where you should be (whatever that means)? Or maybe a better question to ask is, “What does it matter?” Social media was originally created with probably good intent. However, it…
That’s not a difficult question to answer. Of course they do – many times the same way that we disappoint them. So, maybe a better question to ask would be – what are some good ways to handle disappointment, because it will happen? I want to share a few productive steps that we can take…
I recently sat with a couple who was struggling to find anything in common. They have been married for a number of years, have a couple of children, but see each other as complete strangers. When I inquired as to what they had in common when they were dating, the responded with, “Our dating was…