Too much peace and harmony in your marriage?  If so, here are a few things you can do to start a fight with your spouse. First, change plans at the last minute. Don’t consult with your spouse and just do what’s best for you. Second, have a serious conversation right before bed when you both are tired from a long day. That can easily lead to an argument. Third, compare your spouse to others. Say something...

Marriage is when two become one. And when we hold ourselves to a different set of standards than our spouse, we create an unfair, double standard and division. So let’s check out some common double standards and how to avoid them. First, do you have “impulse buys” or frivolous spending habits, but get angry at your spouse for doing the same? Avoid this double standard by agreeing on a budget and spending...

You’re juggling the needs of your kids—their homework, their sports, their friends. You’re busy preparing for a big presentation at work. You’ve got a bunch of emails to reply to and, oh yeah, you have some Facebook posts to make. Your schedule is absolutely full. You’re doing some great things, but what about your spouse? Are they enjoying the fruit of your activities? Or are they just getting your leftovers? If...

It’s crucial to develop good listening skills that account for your spouse’s style. There are different communication “personalities” that help you to listen better. For instance, maybe you’re married to what I call “Details Danny…or Danielle”. They don’t just tell a story, but the entire story. Details that seem frivolous to you are a big deal to them. And they don’t feel heard without telling details. So if you...

Whether you and your spouse pucker up at the drop of a hat or only give the occasional peck on the check, here are some medical benefits that a good “make out” session creates.  Studies show that these medical benefits include reducing blood pressure, boosting immune systems, and get this fighting cavities with increased saliva, burning calories, and even exercising facial and neck muscles. So when you see your...

The easiest thing to do is to look at your spouse…I mean, they’re the reason that you’ve got problems in your marriage in the first place, right?  Well, let me ask you, have things gotten better since you blamed your spouse for all your problems?  Hmmm…my guess is…no. The movie The Song, which is now available on DVD, shows us how it really does take two to tango. How more often than not, both a husband and wife...

Your spouse will appreciate the time you invested in coming up with a creative gift this Valentine’s Day. Here are some unique types of gifts to trigger your own creative juices. First, think about gifts that are symbolic, that stand for something in your relationship. For example, get gift cards for the five restaurants from your five most special dates, and write a note to her saying, “Let’s relive our favorite...