Valentine’s Day can be a bit uncomfortable for many couples and for many reasons. Here are a few culprits and what you can do about them. First, it can be awkward when you haven’t been romantic in a while. The solution? Don’t use this day to become Romeo or Juliet all of the sudden. But do use it as a springboard to launch your heart back into the relationship.  Second, it can be awkward figuring out what to give....

If you have, make up your mind that you will never use it again.  The “D” word is divorce.  It can come up when you’re fighting, “I’m sick of you – I want a divorce!”  Or when things aren’t perfect, “If you do that again, I’m outta here!”  Well, you need to replace a divorce mindset with a commitment mindset.  You see, if divorce is even an option, you’re more likely to consider it.  Are you thinking about getting...

It’s not some high-tech gadget you can pick up at a store… it’s a sense of belonging. So how can you instill that in your kids? At home, let your kids know they’re important to you, and to your family. Affirm their positive character traits, encourage their unique gifts, and let them know their thoughts and opinions matter. Then, when you’re out in public, praise them to others – and proudly claim them: “This is...

Renew your wedding vows.  It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate.  You can even surprise your children.  Just tell them you have something planned for this Valentine’s night.   When the time comes, repeat the same vows you took on your wedding day, or use different words.  The point is to show each other and your kids how committed you are to your marriage.  Finish up the evening showing them your wedding album...

There’s no such thing as not having time. When we say “I don’t have time,” what we’re really saying is that we don’t choose to make certain things a priority right now, or, there’s something else we’d rather be doing. Think about all the demands on your schedule and take a look at the things you spend the most time on. The truth is we make time for the things we want to make time for.  But that isn’t always...

I’m talking about timing in marriage – specifically, when it comes to discussing things with your spouse. You want to talk to your wife about the phone bill so you bombard her as soon as she walks in the door from work.  Your husband is sick with the flu but you go ahead and bring up the broken sink anyway.  Or, your wife is exhausted, and just as her head hits the pillow you bring up the budget.  All bad timing. ...

The marriage rate has been on a steady decline over the past five decades.  Why this disturbing trend?  It’s because some people think that living together rather than getting married is the way to go.  The number of unmarried couples living with each other jumped from 1.6 million in 1980 to 13.6 million in 2008.  Are there consequences for co-habitation?  Well, findings from Pennsylvania State University indicate...