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communication

6 Reasons to Have a Weekly Family Meeting

6 Reasons to Have a Weekly Family Meeting

By Family & Friends, Parenting5 Comments

Did you have family meetings when you were a kid? Were they a regular occurrence or only when there was a crisis or situation that warranted it? Depending on your experience, your feelings about them might range from fond memories to dread. But the truth is, family meetings don’t have to be something tied to negative connotations or memories for your own family.

Establishing a weekly family meeting can have a lot of great benefits for both individual members and the family as a whole. Here are 6 reasons to start one: Read More

4 Priorities for Busy Couples

4 Priorities for Busy Couples

By Connection, Quality Time2 Comments

Are you busy?

That might sound like a silly question. Nowadays, everyone is relatively busy. Sometimes it’s by choice; other times it’s just the season of life you’re in. Whether it’s with your job, family, hobbies, a side hustle, or simply staying on top of the myriad of tasks that make up daily life, there are countless things that vie for your time, attention, and energy. What effect does this have on your marriage?

The answer shouldn’t come as a surprise. When you’re extra busy, you’re spending less time together, making it easier for distance and complacency to take root. While your level of closeness will ebb and flow throughout the course of your marriage, you can prevent a bigger problem from developing by prioritizing these four things when things get extra busy: Read More

Marriage in a New City

Marriage in a New City

By Resilience4 Comments

Well, it’s official. You’re leaving your family, friends, and everything familiar for an adventure in a new city. You don’t know anyone there. You’re excited – and nervous, too. Can you relate?

Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity, a temporary relocation for school, a new station in the military, or even just an itch to experience new things together, it’s not uncommon for couples to find themselves moving to an unfamiliar place where the only person they know is each other. On one hand, it can be a really unique opportunity to bond and strengthen their connection. However, it can have its challenges, too. Let’s explore some tips for navigating them. Read More

young couple decluttering sitting on floor near cardboard boxes

Decluttering Your Marriage

By Relationship Basics4 Comments

A few knick-knacks here, some dirty dishes there, kids’ toys everywhere. Does clutter drive you nuts or does it not really bother you? Research has actually found that excessive clutter can have a negative effect on your ability to focus and process information, as well as on your self-esteem and mood.

Now consider this: Can your marriage have clutter? And if so, what effect might it have on your relationship?
Decluttering your marriage might not be as straightforward as putting away that stack of laundry or reorganizing the kitchen cabinets, but it can be just as beneficial. Let’s explore. Read More

Couple Walking in Shallow Water and Smiling expectations

The Lowdown on Expectations

By Relationship Dynamics3 Comments

What’s something you control that can completely change your perspective, even when you don’t realize it exists? This might sound like some sort of brainteaser riddle, but it’s actually a key to feeling happier and more satisfied in your relationship. The answer? Well, if you guessed expectations, then you’re right!

Yep, our very own expectations have the power to make us feel disappointed or pleasantly surprised, as if we’re failing or succeeding, unfulfilled or content. If you’re curious about why, and how this insight affects your marriage, keep reading. Read More

Couple with arms around each other on skateboard

5 Secrets to Rockstar Communication

By Relationship BasicsNo Comments

We could say a lot about the importance of good communication in relationships. And actually, on this blog, we have! You’ll find a lot about the basics of assertiveness and active listening and the importance of communication overall. You’ll also find insights on some of the things that prevent us from communicating well and can even cause conflict as a result. If it seems like a lot to remember while also trying to apply in real life, you’re right. So we’ve distilled our tips down to the most essential – and effective – secrets to rockstar communication. Read More

A Couple Sitting on Chairs Holding Hands over the Table

4 Things That Happen When You Truly Listen

By Relationship Basics4 Comments

Shhh. Listen. No, really listen. Do you hear it? That’s the sound of some amazing things happening in your relationship.

As you probably know, being a good listener and continuing to work on that skill throughout your marriage is one of the basic tenets of great communication. But its positive effects have a way of rippling out into other areas of your relationship as well. Here are some of the things that happen when you truly listen to each other. Read More

A happy couple sitting together on the floor

5 Signs You Could Benefit from a Relationship Check-In

By Connection6 Comments

It’s time to check in! Nope, this isn’t a notification about an upcoming flight. But you could consider it a reminder to have your daily relationship check-in – or take it as a sign to start one.

If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of a relationship check-in, it’s a designated time for you and your partner to touch base on the status of your relationship. You might talk about what’s working or not working, how satisfied you both are in various areas of your relationship, express gratitude and appreciation, air grievances, or even just talk about your day. The beauty of a check-in is that there are many ways you can do it, as long as it works for you as a couple and benefits your relationship.
Are you and your spouse in need of a check-in? Here are five signs you could benefit from one: Read More

Romantic Couple Talking on blanket in the grass

5 Common Assumptions That Cause Conflict in Marriage

By Conflict, Relationship Basics12 Comments

“So you made that dinner reservation, right?”
“What? No, I didn’t. I assumed you didn’t want to go because you were complaining about how busy this week was.”
“What?! Why would you think that? You said last week you were going to check availability, so I assumed you got a reservation.”
“Ugh!”

For most couples, this is a very relatable situation. Miscommunications and misunderstandings bubble up due to making assumptions about each other, as demonstrated in the conversation above. We don’t do it intentionally. We’re usually not itching for an argument to pop up at the most inopportune times. In fact, most of the time we probably don’t even realize we’re making assumptions. That’s what makes them so tricky – but not if you know what to watch out for. Here are five common assumptions we make about our spouse that cause conflict in marriage. Read More

Couple hanging artwork in new house

3 Conversations to Help You Grow Together Through Change

By ResilienceOne Comment

Do you relish change – embracing new challenges and experiences with confidence and enthusiasm? Or do you prefer routine – feeling most comfortable with the familiar and knowing what comes next?

Whichever camp you fall into, change is inevitable. How we respond to it, of course, makes all the difference. Those who are averse to change might have practice in being intentional about how they manage transitions. Even for those that thrive on change, learning to take the necessary considerations can be a valuable lesson.

In marriage, changes and transitions bring about an added layer of complexity. Why? Because you’re not only managing two different thresholds for change, you’re also juggling the changes you go through as an individual, changes in your relationship, as well as how all of those factors affect your relationship. Phew! That sounds like a lot to manage, and it can feel that way, too. But one of the best things you can do throughout all of it is keep communicating. Here are three conversations to help you grow together and stay connected through change. Read More