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. And the threat of it keeps couples...

Yesterday, I talked about knowing when you need counseling. Today I'd like to talk about how to choose a marriage counselor. After finally deciding to get help, many couples are overwhelmed with the sheer numbers of counseling options. Most couples begin by searching the internet. Another good choice is to ask a family doctor or trusted minister for suggestions. But the best referrals for marriage counselors come...

Laugh together. It's no joke. Laughter not only makes us feel good, but according to research cited in the Canadian Family Physician journal, it releases chemicals associated with bonding. A hearty belly laugh increases oxygen in your blood stream and gives your heart a work out. That releases even more feel-good endorphins. Humor helps us cope with stress; it relieves tension and creates a feeling of intimacy,...

You feel like it's flat lined. There's no pulse—not a breath of life remains. Before you pronounce it dead on arrival, there are four basic tools you can use to resurrect that dying relationship. First, patience. It took time for your relationship to need resuscitation; it will take time for it to get well again. Second, determination. Choose to be committed to each other for life, no matter what, and work...

Does it sound something like this? "What do you want to do tonight?" "I don't know, what do you want to do?" "I don't know… is there anything at the movies?" Then you find yourself sitting in a dark theater, not talking to each other, watching a movie you really didn't want to see anyway. Instead, do something different. Go for an evening picnic at the beach or lake. Play tennis. Go bowling. Check out your...

Websites like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and Classmates are in the business of connecting people. Long-lost friends and classmates can be easily found, and relationships restored. But there's a downside to social networking, too, especially when an old flame makes contact. In fact, marriages are breaking up over these "re-acquaintances." For some people, the temptation is just too much to handle. Your spouse...

This week we are featuring the 5 most popular Family Minutes from 2010. Today is Number 5...That's often a source of confusion and comedy for men. But understanding what a woman wants is no laughing matter. In her book, For Men Only, Shaunti Feldhahn breaks it down for us. She says that men need to understand that a woman wants to go beyond logic and knowledge in relationships. Women need to "feel" five...