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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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When You Can't Let It Go

When You Can’t Let It Go

By Conflict12 Comments

We’ve all been there. Your spouse commits a seemingly small offense – maybe a comment comes out wrong, they make an inconvenient mistake, or show a lack of consideration – and you just can’t let it go. You ruminate and stew and dwell on it. Just when you’ve almost forgotten about it, you think about it again and a fresh wave of emotion arises. Even if you know logically that it’s not a big deal, something keeps you holding on. You just can’t let it go.

You don’t want to feel this way – angry, annoyed, or resentful towards your spouse for something you know is inconsequential. So what’s going on? Often, it’s tied to a deeper issue. Here are four things to reflect on when you find yourself in this situation. Read More

January 29, 2025
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3 Times to Get Uncomfortable in Your Marriage

3 Times to Get Uncomfortable in Your Marriage

By Relationship Basics3 Comments

How comfortable are you with… getting uncomfortable? Whether it’s cringing through an incredibly awkward social interaction or having to face one of your biggest fears, people usually don’t like to sit in those feelings for too long or seek them out too often. Of course, everyone is different. People have varying thresholds and tendencies when it comes to taking risks or going outside their comfort zone. But never doing so means you could be missing out on personal growth, instead settling for complacency or stagnation. This not only applies to you individually, but in your marriage as well. Here are three times getting uncomfortable in your relationship is worth it. Read More

November 6, 2024
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The Sneaky Third Wheel

The Sneaky Third Wheel

By Connection6 Comments

Many of us have a third wheel in our marriage. It sneakily steals time and attention normally given to each other. It interrupts special and intimate moments. It exacerbates existing trust issues. Sometimes, you might even spend more time gazing at it than you do your spouse. Instead of trying to distance ourselves from it, we keep it by our side at all times.

No, it’s not a nosy friend or an overbearing family member causing these issues. It’s your phone.

Let’s be honest – even if you feel like you’ve got a good handle on how much you’re on your phone, it’s easy to fall into bad habits. Let’s dive into what to be aware of and how you can ensure your phones aren’t coming between you and your spouse. Read More

October 30, 2024
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5 Real Tips for Tired Couples

5 Real Tips for Tired Couples

By Resilience5 Comments

“I’m so tired.”

It can seem like being tired is just part of being an adult. You’ve got things to do, places to be, and only so much time for sleep. Sometimes your season of life dictates whether you’re getting enough of sleep, and it’s hard to change. Other times, you have more control over the situation.

While being tired is a normal part of life for many, the reality is that when you’re both exhausted, neither of you are at your best. You might be irritable, moody, overly sensitive, critical, or defensive. Your communication skills suffer, and you simply don’t have much left in the tank for each other. It goes without saying that this can be detrimental to your marriage over time. Want to avoid damage to your relationship? Grab a cup of coffee and check out these realistic tips. Read More

October 16, 2024
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Relationship Basics Part 1

Relationship Basics – Part 1

By Relationship Basics4 Comments

Kids are heading back to school, building a foundation of the skills and knowledge that will carry them through life. Often at the start of the year and at certain points throughout, teachers will dedicate time to reviewing what’s already been covered. The purpose, of course, is to make sure students have the fundamentals down pat or that they’re retaining information before moving on to something new. When it comes to your marriage, do you need a review?

Sometimes there is no substitute for getting back to basics – those fundamental things that make all the difference in the quality of your relationship. As we go about our daily lives, we sometimes lose sight of these things and fall into bad habits. Over time, you start to feel the effect – things are just off between you or it feels like you’re in a rut. Not to worry! We’ve rounded up all the basics in one place, organized from A-Z. Read More

August 28, 2024
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5 Biggest Mistakes of Busy Couples

5 Biggest Mistakes of Busy Couples

By Resilience6 Comments

Everyone is busy to some extent, right? In today’s world, it’s almost a badge of honor – the busier you are, the more productive you must be. While we know this isn’t necessarily true, there’s something to be said for the sense of accomplishment that can come from doing all the things. But the truth is, it can come with a cost – and it’s often your marriage that ends up paying the price.

Want to avoid this outcome? These are the biggest mistakes busy couples tend to make. Read More

August 7, 2024
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5 Keys to Breaking the Defensiveness Cycle

5 Keys to Breaking the Defensiveness Cycle

By Conflict, Relationship Basics9 Comments

Defensiveness in your relationship can be a vicious cycle. One of you makes a comment. The other person gets defensive and responds critically, causing the other person to get defensive in return. The longer this cycle continues, the harder it is to talk through issues and be open, authentic, and vulnerable with each other. So, how do you break out of this pattern? These are the key things to keep in mind: Read More

July 17, 2024
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Making a Game Plan for Family Events

Making a Game Plan for Family Events

By Family & Friends3 Comments

Family reunions, holiday gatherings, Sunday dinners, special occasions. For most couples, family events are a normal part of your life together. Whether you’re nervously meeting each other’s family for the first time, or you’ve known them forever, whether you get along great or there’s some tension, whether you see them weekly or every few years, one thing is certain: navigating family events isn’t always easy.

It seems straightforward enough. Go to said event, spend time with family, go home. But families in general are rarely that simple. Complicated dynamics, unspoken rules, outspoken relatives – these are just a few of the factors that can lead to awkward moments, tension, or even conflict with family members and even your spouse.

While you can’t predict or prevent everything that’s going to happen, you can make a game plan to ensure you and your spouse are on the same page. Here are some things to consider before, during, and after the event. Read More

July 3, 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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