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Nov 01
Love0

Social Media & Marriage: 5 Essential Tips

By Relationship Basics 3 Comments

Social media has become so pervasive that it’s hard to even remember what it was like without it. These days, it almost takes more intention and effort to avoid it than to join in. Friends and family use it for events and parties; it’s where all the latest trends seem to pop up, and people even gain celebrity status just by sharing their lives on it.
It begs the question: what impact has it had on marriages and relationships? While there are probably a few positives, one could argue that the effects skew pretty negative. The good news, of course, is that you can avoid this outcome. Here are five essential tips to ensure that social media doesn’t harm your marriage. Read More

Oct 25
Love0
5 Signs You're Growing as a Couple

5 Signs You’re Growing as a Couple

By Resilience 2 Comments

How do you know something is growing? Sometimes it’s concrete and measurable: You can compare your child’s current height to last year’s measurement. Or you can see that your tiny sprout has now outgrown the pot it was planted in. Other times, there is less visual evidence. For example, how do you know if you’ve grown personally or in your marriage? Although it’s harder to see on the surface, recognizing growth can be important. It gives you confidence, encouragement, and motivation to keep striving for better – to keep putting effort into the things that matter. Here are five signs you’re growing as a couple. Read More

Oct 18
Love0
5 Underrated Ways to Validate Your Spouse

5 Underrated Ways to Validate Your Spouse

By Relationship Dynamics 13 Comments

“I couldn’t believe he said that to me! I was so mad!”

“I think you’re overreacting, he probably didn’t mean it that way.”

Have you ever shared your thoughts with your spouse, but their response left you feeling dismissed, criticized, or unheard? It can make you feel small or invisible – the opposite of how you should feel in interactions with your partner. This speaks to the importance of validation, of helping each other feel heard, understood, and that your thoughts and feelings are valued. It’s usually not the first thing that comes to mind when we think of the crucial components of a healthy relationship but without it, trust and intimacy will be largely lacking. So here are five underrated ways to validate your spouse. Read More

Oct 11
Love0
The Power of a Do-Over

The Power of a Do-Over

By Conflict, Parenting 6 Comments

In a lot of circumstances, you only get one shot. Heck, life itself is a perfect example (YOLO!) It can create a lot of pressure to get things right the first time. But no one is perfect, and when we fail, it can be a tough pill to swallow. When it’s possible and appropriate, a second chance can be just what we need to turn an ordinary or negative situation into something more. Let’s explore the power of a do-over in the context of marriage. Read More

Oct 04
Love0
4 Benefits of Understanding Your Triggers

4 Benefits of Understanding Your Triggers

By Relationship Basics 6 Comments

You’ve probably experienced this before – having an emotional reaction disproportionate to the comment that spurred it, or a conversation that goes off the rails when emotions escalate out nowhere. Sure, some conflict is unavoidable and necessary, but constantly lashing out when you’re triggered can be pretty hard on your relationship. When you do the work to better understand your own hot spots and triggers, you’ll begin to reap the following benefits: Read More

Sep 27
Love0
Why Parenting Disagreements Test Your Relationship

Why Parenting Disagreements Can Test Your Relationship

By Conflict, Parenting 5 Comments

Having children is often considered one of the most rewarding parts of marriage. While that may be true, it can also be one of the most challenging, testing your relationship with your spouse in ways you’ve never experienced before. Raising children isn’t easy, even if you were to agree on every aspect of it. So when you disagree, it can feel like a wedge between you. Why do parenting disagreements tend to carry such weight? And what are some tips to turn those disagreements into opportunities to come out stronger? Let’s take a look. Read More

Sep 20
Love0

10 Loving Ways to Surprise Each Other

By Connection 9 Comments

Not everyone loves surprises. If this sounds like you or your spouse, you might cringe at the thought of surprising each other. But before you stop reading, let us clarify. Surprises don’t have to come in the form of an over-the-top surprise party with every person you know in attendance (the horror!) They can actually be relatively small, simple ways to show love and appreciation or boost your level of connection. Here are 10 ideas to get your gears turning: Read More

Sep 13
Love0

Showing Love When You’re Not Really Feeling It

By Conflict, Connection 6 Comments
Real talk. You love your spouse. But sometimes, you don’t really feel all that loving. Maybe you are angry with them or are still processing emotions around a conflict. Perhaps you’re emotionally flooded or you’ve had a horrible day and just need some space. Whatever the case, it’s normal to not feel loving and affectionate toward your spouse 100% of the time. However, constantly taking your anger, frustration, or other difficult emotions out on them (even when they might be the cause), will take a toll on your relationship.

Fortunately, there are ways to let your spouse know your love for them hasn’t wavered – that you’re still “with” them and committed to your marriage even if you’re not feeling especially warm towards them at the moment. These small things provide reassurance that you will reconnect, even if it’s not immediately. Let’s explore. Read More

Sep 06
Love0

5 Things That Undermine an Apology

By Conflict 15 Comments

Have you ever been on the receiving end of a bad apology? How did it make you feel? Even if you couldn’t articulate exactly what what was off about it, you might have walked away feeling a sense of dissatisfaction, or even more hurt or angry than you were initially. Have you been on the other side of this situation? You tried to apologize to your spouse, but it was not received well. Maybe you felt like you were doing all the right things, but it’s not coming across the way you’d like. What went wrong?

The fact of the matter is, a meaningful apology is more than just uttering the words, “I’m sorry.” Here are five things that can undermine an apology. Read More

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