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Ann Malmberg

Marital Decisions - Who Gets a Say

Marital Decisions: Who Gets a Say?

By Family & Friends2 Comments

As a couple, you and your spouse will face countless decisions. From the minor yet incessant “What’s for dinner?”, to momentous yet infrequent ones like “Should we move for this job?” The choices you’ll have to make together fall on both ends of this spectrum, and everywhere in between.

Sometimes the choice is easy. One or both of you have the knowledge that’s necessary to make a smart and informed decision, and you’re aligned on the desired outcome and the path to get there. Done and done. Other times, it’s not so cut and dry. Maybe you and your spouse are new homeowners facing some unavoidable repairs. Neither of you has much experience or insight on the topic, but your father-in-law is a contractor. How much should his opinion weigh in your decision? Or perhaps you have a very close relationship with your parents and like to consult with them on most of your bigger decisions. How much say do they get? How much is too much? What factors complicate these dynamics? What should your end goal be? Let’s explore. Read More

April 16, 2025
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Breaking the Habit of Making Excuses

Breaking the Habit of Making Excuses

By Relationship Basics3 Comments

Excuses, excuses. Everyone makes them from time to time, but no one really wants to be known as the person who always has an excuse. It can come off as immature, irresponsible, or defensive – not a good look. While making excuses gets you off the hook in the short-term, doing it habitually can prevent you from growing, evolving, or reaching your full potential in the long run – and it can have the same effect on your marriage.

Excuses can show up in different forms. We might make them for ourselves or for others. Typically we think of them in the context of actions or behaviors – why we did or didn’t do something, or for being or not being a certain way (“It’s just the way I am.”) Similar to defensiveness, making excuses is a defense mechanism that we use to protect ourselves from feeling inadequacy, criticism, shame, or guilt. Also like defensiveness, it can inhibit conflict resolution and perpetuate complacency, ultimately preventing you from being the best spouse you can be.

So what can you do if making excuses is driving a wedge between you and your spouse? Here are some steps to take. Read More

April 9, 2025
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Planning to Prioritize Your Marriage

Planning to Prioritize Your Marriage

By Resilience5 Comments

If you have children, you know how much planning goes into their wellbeing. You set their daily schedules, make appointments, and arrange childcare. You plan their birthday parties and register for summer camp months in advance. It seems non-negotiable – just part of being a parent.

You put lots of time, energy, and resources into making sure the upcoming months include what your kids needs to grow and thrive. Can you say the same about your marriage? Read More

April 2, 2025
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4 Fresh Ways to Approach Household Chores

4 Fresh Ways to Approach Household Chores

By Relationship DynamicsNo Comments

We call them household chores – not household fun activities – for a reason. They often feel like the main obstacle standing between us and what we really want to be doing. Plus, they’re constant. As soon as you finish one round of chores it’s time to start up another. If it feels like you and your spouse can never get ahead, you’re not alone. Not only do they add work to your individual plates, but when you’re not aligned on how to handle them, it can strain your marriage as well. If you need to breath some new life into this area, keep reading. We’re sharing four fresh ways to approach household chores. Read More

March 26, 2025
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Scrap These Marriage Myths Today

Scrap These Marriage Myths Today

By Premarital, Relationship Basics5 Comments

Are you engaged, newly married, or even just hoping to be one day? Chances are, you’ve probably got some preconceived notions about what marriage will be – or should be – like. It’s understandable. Whether it’s through TV, social media, or the internet in general, we’re inundated by different representations of marriage like never before. From the sensationalized and often short-lived celebrity marriages, to the dramatic ultimatums of reality shows, to the relatively normal marriage of your neighbors down the street, it’s hard to know what is actually real and healthy. You can jump in blindly, but having realistic expectations will help you feel happier and more empowered in your marriage. Let’s take a look at three marriage myths you should scrap today. Read More

March 19, 2025
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Helping Each Other Recharge

Helping Each Other Recharge

By Relationship Dynamics3 Comments

Do you have people in your life who require a lot of energy? Maybe it’s a friend who always has lots of drama going on and emotions to match, a family member who is always going 100 miles an hour, or a coworker who has always made you a little nervous. Whether you realize it or not, spending time with these individuals tends to leave you feeling a bit drained. It’s fine in small doses, but you’re always ready for an opportunity to recharge afterward.

And people aren’t the only things that can drain you. Your job, daily responsibilities, and the world around you can tap out your energy reserves in various ways, whether it’s emotionally, mentally, or even spiritually. At the end of a long day, you’re both ready to decompress. Are you and your spouse a source of renewal for each other, or do you unintentionally demand more energy from each other? How can you help each other recharge? How does this benefit your relationship? Here are some aspects to consider: Read More

March 12, 2025
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Marriage Lessons from Social Media & Beyond

Marriage Lessons from Social Media and Beyond

By Relationship BasicsNo Comments

We’ll admit it. When it comes to discussing social media and its effects on marriage, we’ve focused mostly on the negatives. Distraction from being fully present, living vicariously through others, and getting caught up in comparison are some of the less-than-desirable impacts that tend to creep into your relationship and cause problems. But as with most things, it’s not all black and white. While there are pitfalls to watch out for, there are also a lot of positives that can come from social media as well.

For the sake of this post, let’s expand our definition of social media to include all of the different types of media we consume these days, such as podcasts, streaming platforms, etc. After all, everything is pretty much at our fingertips or just a click or scroll away. Plus, there’s lots of crossover between them – you hear podcast clips on TikTok and Instagram, reels on YouTube, you get the idea.

Now that those details are squared away, let’s explore some of the beneficial lessons we can reap from the media we consume on a daily basis. Read More

March 5, 2025
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Calling Out the Unwritten Rules

Calling Out the Unwritten Rules

By Relationship DynamicsNo Comments

Picture the scene: You and your spouse have just enjoyed a lovely dinner at your in-law’s house. You’re stuffed, but your mother-in-law just brought out dessert. You politely decline, and immediately get an elbow jab and a stern look from your spouse. You’re confused. You’re too full for dessert, and you don’t have much of a sweet tooth either. What’s wrong with saying no?

As you come to find out later – everything! You unwittingly broke an unwritten rule in your spouse’s family – you don’t turn down dessert. “Why not?” you ask. Your spouse shrugs. “I don’t know, you just don’t.” You make a mental note of it for the future.
Have you ever been in this situation? It’s like there’s an invisible playbook you need to follow. Once you know the plays, it’s simple enough, but learning them can be awkward, uncomfortable, and even cause conflict in your marriage and family.

While this is an example within one of your families, chances are there are unwritten rules within your marriage as well. Where did they come from? How did you learn them? What impact do they have on your relationship? Let’s explore. Read More

February 26, 2025
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4 Ways to Prepare for Time Apart

4 Ways to Prepare for Time Apart

By Connection, Resilience2 Comments

Are you getting ready to spend some time away from your spouse? Maybe it’s just for a few days – a work trip or family obligation. Perhaps it’s a longer-term situation, such as a military deployment, job, or educational opportunity. Whatever the case, it’s natural to feel a bit nervous. Will it be hard on your relationship? Will you drift apart? Will you miss each other terribly? Realistically, all of these might be true. But you can take steps to prepare yourselves – and your marriage – to navigate this time apart successfully. Here’s how. Read More

February 19, 2025
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5 Secrets to Better Conversations

5 Secrets to Better Conversations

By Connection, Relationship Dynamics2 Comments

It’s the end of a busy week. You’re out to a relaxing dinner with your spouse, and you’re both thrilled to be spending some quality time together. A few minutes of companionable silence pass by until one of you pipes up about – what else – the kids. You both chuckle over their antics, then move on to talking about their upcoming appointments and swapping drop-off/pickup duty on those days. Appetizers arrive, and you dig into those before changing the topic to this month’s credit card bill.

If this sounds all too familiar, you’re not alone. These practical, surface-level conversations are often what make up a good chunk of daily communication between spouses, and for good reason. They keep your household running smoothly and prevent logistical crossed wires, which can mean fewer unnecessary fights over said topics. And if you have kids – well, you love them and talking about them brings you endless joy, so of course you’re going to do that.

At the same time, do you ever find yourself wishing your conversations were a little more… something? More playful and fun? More stimulating? Do you long for the days when deep discussions had you feeling closer than ever? We hear you. Here are our five secrets to better conversations with your spouse. Read More

February 12, 2025
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