According to a recent iMOM poll, the three things that couples argue about most are money, communication and discipline.  Sound familiar?  Conflict is natural in a relationship.  But sometimes, a small disagreement can escalate into a full-blown shouting match.  A useful tool couples can use to avoid a heated argument is a kind of intermission.  When things are getting hot, one person can say, “Let’s take a...

The male Zeus bug, a tiny water bug common along Australia’s east coast, hitches a ride on the female for up to a week, counting on the female to feed him and mate with him at will. That’s a bug’s life. It’s all take and no give. Sound familiar? Well, in the lives of humans there’s a law of diminishing returns when one side always gives and the other always takes. Marriage needs to be a 100%/100%,...

Moms spend a lot of time with their children, it’s the nature of the job.  But well thought out, one-on-one time with our kids is harder to come by. So get out your calendar and make it a priority.  Before you go, plan on using the time you have together to really get to know what your child is feeling and thinking with our Conversation Goal suggestions. Here are 8 great dates for moms and sons.  And, don’t miss...

Last night was the highly anticipated finale of The Bachelor.  People tuned in from all over to see if Bachelor Ben would propose.  After nine weeks of dating as many as 25 women at once, the Bachelor gave out the final rose.  But is this an act of true love or something else?  Love is patient.  Love is kind.  Love is all about giving, not getting.  It’s about giving selflessly and sacrificially to another...

As a private pilot, I can tell you that bad weather and air turbulence are just a part of flying. Sometimes it can be avoided…other times, it can’t. Building an intimate marriage is kind of like flying a plane – sure, most of us would like to avoid turbulence in our marriage, but sometimes you just have to fly through it. The key to navigating through it is to learn to resolve conflict and communicate with each...

Do you remember your first date with your wife? What about the first time your husband kissed you? Thinking back to those early days of dating is a great way to rekindle the passion in your relationship. If it's possible, re-create your first date or re-enact your marriage proposal. Spend time just sitting on the couch together talking about what you thought the first time you met . . . or when you realized you...

Soon after my wife and I were married, we made a discovery.  It seemed like when we argued, it was at night… when we were tired and irritable from a long day.  So we set a curfew on serious discussions:  nine o’clock is the limit.  Now, when we start to get into a heavy talk after nine, we remind each other that it’s late, we’re not going to resolve anything tonight, and we can talk about it tomorrow. This way, we...