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Ann Malmberg

6 reasons newlywed counseling makes sense

6 Reasons Newlywed Counseling Makes Sense

By Premarital, Relationship Basics2 Comments

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you did some form of premarital counseling, and that’s great! It’s a proven and proactive way to get your marriage off on the right foot. Premarital education is where Prepare/Enrich first made its mark over 40 years ago, and it goes without saying that we couldn’t be bigger proponents of it.

But what happens after the wedding, when you start living the real married life? What do you do when you encounter those first big conflicts or need help navigating issues you never could have foreseen before marriage? It seems like this would be a really good time for another check-in on your relationship – in the form of newlywed counseling. Read More

June 12, 2024
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Communication Mistakes We Make When We're Stressed

4 Communication Mistakes We Make When We’re Stressed

By Relationship Basics4 Comments

You missed an appointment you’d been waiting on for months because the car is acting up again. You just got a call from your son’s school about some behavior issues, and – oh look, the dog threw up on the carpet. ARGH! You’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed, to say the least. Now, your spouse walks in looking serious and wants to talk.

Let’s hit pause here for a second. What do you think happens next? It’s probably pretty safe to assume that you aren’t in the best state of mind for a serious conversation with your partner. In fact, here are four communication mistakes we tend to make when we’re stressed out or overwhelmed. Read More

June 5, 2024
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Decision Fatigue & Marriage

Decision Fatigue and Marriage

By Relationship Basics10 Comments

“What should we have for dinner tonight?”

It’s an innocent question, yet it’s one that couples everywhere can probably relate to dreading at some point. Your spouse poses the question and your immediate feeling is UGH. Maybe you get disproportionately annoyed and take it out on them. Or perhaps it feels like just another thing piled on your already full plate (no pun intended). What is so triggering about it? Is it really about figuring out dinner? More often than not, it’s tied to a broader issue. Read More

May 22, 2024
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How Humor Leads to Harmony

How Humor Leads to Harmony

By Relationship Dynamics6 Comments

A great sense of humor often ranks near the top of the list of desirable traits in a potential spouse. And for good reason – who doesn’t want to be married to someone who will keep you in stitches throughout your marriage? Not only that, but humor can help you maintain a positive perspective during challenging situations or seasons of life, making your relationship more resilient. In other words, your marriage will be better equipped to handle the unpredictability that life throws your way.

And that’s not all! Leaning into laughter can also create a more peaceful dynamic in your marriage. Here’s how humor leads to harmony: Read More

May 15, 2024
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Top 5 Conflict Issues

5 Most Common Conflict Issues

By Conflict2 Comments

When it comes to conflict in your marriage, it can sometimes feel like you’re the only couple who regularly deals with certain issues. It might seem like other couples have a much easier time resolving conflict or that it shouldn’t be so hard for you and your spouse. That can feel pretty isolating. But we’re going to let you in on a secret: most couples, even those that are skilled in conflict resolution, deal with a common set of conflict-related problems in their marriage.

That’s right. Prepare/Enrich data has pinpointed five of the most common conflict issues reported by a majority of couples. Here’s what they are: Read More

May 8, 2024
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a smiling man spinning his wife around

5 Keys to a Happy Marriage

By Relationship Basics5 Comments

Are happy couples just built different? Are they more compatible or agreeable and have a happier marriage as a result? Or are they doing something differently? It turns out it can be a combination of both. While this might seem like a cop-out answer, it’s actually good news. It means that while some couples might have a certain level of “meant to be” going for them, you have the power to improve your marriage if it’s not where you’d like it to be. It means that you’re not simply doomed to unhappiness if you and your spouse are facing some challenges or going through a tough season.

So what are these characteristics that set happy couples apart from unhappy couples? Here’s where we can actually provide some specific answers. Over the last 40+ years, Prepare/Enrich has gathered mountains of data on this very topic and found that these are the five keys to a happy marriage: Read More

May 1, 2024
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Don't Say Yes to the Wedding Stress

Don’t Say Yes to the Wedding Stress

By Premarital2 Comments

Engagement is often touted as one of the most exciting times of your life. Sure, the actual act of getting engaged might live up to the hype. You’re giddy in love with your new fiancé, and you’ve just marked a momentous turning point in your relationship. You know lots of really special moments lie ahead – moments you’ll remember for the rest of your life. In the meantime, you’ve got a wedding to plan.

Little do you know that hiding on the other side of that emotional high is a potential mountain of wedding-related stress. If you’re not careful, it can ruin the whole experience – and strain your relationship, too. We’re not trying to scare you, but we do want to help you be prepared to face these common sources of stress as you plan your wedding. Let’s dive in. Read More

April 24, 2024
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Stop Waiting for these Things in Your Marriage

Stop Waiting for These Things in Your Marriage

By Resilience7 Comments

You wait for the bus. You wait for a package to be delivered. You wait for the toast to pop up. It makes sense to wait for some things, and in certain situations, waiting for the “right time” is important. But adopting this mindset across every aspect of your life can paralyze personal growth and prevent you from reaching and enjoying your full potential. If you want to make the most of your marriage, then stop waiting for these things: Read More

April 17, 2024
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Start Liking Your Spouse as Much as You Love Them

Start Liking Your Spouse As Much As You Love Them

By Relationship Dynamics4 Comments

You know you love your spouse… but have you have ever found yourself wondering if you actually like them? Maybe it was just a fleeting thought, when they did that thing that annoys you again. Or maybe it lasted longer, during a rough patch in your marriage where you couldn’t seem to get in sync. Or perhaps you’re confused by the question: Isn’t loving and liking your spouse one and the same? Surprisingly, it’s not.

It might seem contradictory, but loving and liking someone are actually two different emotions. Think of love as a reflection of how you feel internally about someone, while liking them is more of an appreciation for who they are. Ideally, these two emotions are aligned. But marriage can be complicated, and sometimes they’re not. You might feel like you’re constantly critical, annoyed, or negative with each other, or even dislike spending time together – even though you know you love each other dearly. So what gives? Are there things you can do to get back to liking your spouse as much as you love them? Keep reading. Read More

April 10, 2024
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