Before you need it. Marriage counseling teaches couples how to work through their differences, communicate better and solve problems in the relationship. So, why don't more people do it? Well, many couples feel that their private life should be just that—private. They feel that is a stigma associated with seeking counseling. But there are times when a third party perspective is just what the doctor ordered. ...

Americans love to indulge on Thanksgiving. Can't you just taste that juicy turkey and dressing? Well, there are people who won't get to enjoy even the first bite of turkey. Maybe they're unmarried and don't have any family nearby. Maybe they're a single mom with three kids and can't afford all the fixings. Or maybe they're your elderly neighbor who's embarrassed to admit they don't have plans. Think about people...

The egg hunts, chocolate bunnies and marshmallow Peeps are iconic symbols of most American Easter celebrations. It's a time when families gather together and feast on the bounty of spring and revel in time spent together. There's fun and frivolity for kids and adults alike. It's a great time of celebration, to be sure. But that's not what Easter's all about. Easter celebrates a priceless gift given in an act...

After a couple announces the engagement, everyone shifts into preparation mode. A lot of time is spent on guest lists, the ceremony, and the honeymoon. It's easy to get so caught up in thinking about the wedding day preparations that sometimes couples forget about preparation for a lifetime of marriage. So take time to really get to know each other, ask hard questions and go to pre-marital counseling before you...

Our relationship with our spouse is a lot like our car…it needs regularly scheduled maintenance. Can you imagine if you never changed the oil in your vehicle, changed your filters, or even filled your tank? It wouldn't take very long before the engine would stop working and leave you stranded on the side of the road! Well, your marriage needs regular maintenance, too. When's the last time you had a tune up? ...

My wife, Susan, and I knew a couple…let's call them Sally and Greg. They were always so sweet and kind to each other…so affectionate and attentive. We always looked at their marriage and wondered why ours wasn't as wonderful. Well, shortly after we drooled over this dreamy relationship, they went through a terrible divorce. What seemed like a magical marriage publicly was actually a dreadful relationship...

The teachers I know tell me it's being an involved parent. Teachers invest a lot of their life into your child. They spend countless hours preparing lessons, grading papers and pouring knowledge into the minds of the children in their care. In most cases, the only time they hear from a parent is when something goes wrong. So if you really want to show your appreciation, be a present parent. Get involved in...