I have had some conversations recently about how challenging it is to raise teenagers. Another layer to the challenge is when parents are raising teenagers in separate households. Co-parenting teenagers presents a completely different set of challenges than children of other ages. The Unapologetic Art of Effectively Co-Parenting Teenagers In this article: Present a … [Read more...]
Surviving Infidelity: 3 Reasons Your Spouse Can’t Move Past Your Affair
Someone was recently sharing with me that she was in a relationship where her husband cheated, and what she did to help in surviving infidelity. So, she decided to cheat as well and now, they are struggling to get past the situation. Learn more about this woman's story and what exactly happens in a marriage after a spouse cheats. Surviving Infidelity | Get Better, Not Even … [Read more...]
3 Signs That You Have Big Commitment Issues!
Being in a committed relationship is a want. It’s not a need or something you have to do. But when you make the choice to be committed to another person, then they deserve your integrity and honesty and the best of what you have to offer. And if you're not sure that you want to commit to a relationship, that's OK too. Just be open and honest about it up front. As a coach … [Read more...]
What to Do When Your “Good Man” Won’t Commit
Being in a committed relationship is a want. It’s not a need or something we have to do. We have to make a choice to want to be committed to another person. So how do you handle it when you want a commitment, but your "good man" is dragging his feet on making that choice? Here is an example of a good man who was commitment adverse and how to deal with a good man who won’t … [Read more...]
3 Keys to Having Tough Conversations with the One You Love
One of the things I hear a lot from couples who have communication issues is that they don’t know how to have the tough conversations. We are, often, so concerned about a reaction or about someone’s feelings, that we don’t have the capacity to have a conversation in love that’s best for everyone involved. And we're so focused on how things are being said, that we never really … [Read more...]
2 Raw Reasons Why He May Never Be the Man You Want Him to Be
Don't you just wish your man would just be more outgoing? Or do you want your woman to be more of a social butterfly? But can you really change him or her? Several of the people I know in relationships have something they want their mate to change. Women often think they can initiate or motivate the change. When men are looking for change in their mate, they tell them what … [Read more...]
The Easiest Way to Improve Communication and End Arguments Faster but You Ain’t Trying to Hear It
One of the biggest challenges in marriage is that we don't listen well enough. We have opinions, ideas, facts and information we need to share. And many times, our points of reference feel so much more important than listening to how our spouse is feeling. Sometimes, we can pretend we hear the other person, just to get to the part of the conversation where we can talk. But … [Read more...]
3 Ways to Use Your Individual Power to Better Your Relationship
One of the things I hear all too often in relationships is, "how can I change my spouse?" I think it's very important to remember what you can control and what you can't control. You can't make anyone do anything they don't want to do. You've can't change your spouse, thinking if he or she changes, that will improve your relationship. But one thing we can control is how … [Read more...]
3 Hard Lessons Learned When You’re Involved with an All-Talk, No-Action Mate
Relationships are hard work. This is obviously why couples seek out relationship coaches like me. And if you were to ask which particular challenge happens more than any other among my clients, I'd say it's when their partner's actions don't line up with their words. When actions don't align with words in a relationship that can be very problematic—and even toxic in some … [Read more...]
Fellas, Here are 5 Overlooked, Nontraditional Places to Find a Decent Woman
Fellas, when considering where to find a woman, I'm sure many of the traditional places come to mind. Places like a nightclub, the grocery store or church always come up when we think of places where we can meet women. While, it's true you can meet women in those places and create friendships and sometimes more, I think men should consider some venues that normally aren't … [Read more...]
So You Have a New Stepfamily, 4 Things You Should Not Expect Right Away
I have to be extremely honest. I didn't know what to expect when bringing together a blended family. Blending different factions (especially when there are so many differences between the family members) is no easy feat. As husband and wife, you are each raised differently; as well, you have raised your children differently. Expectations around things like homework and … [Read more...]
Singles Ladies, Why Are You Trying to Do Bad All by Yourself?
I have been thinking a lot about gender roles in relationships. I'm beginning to understand through conversations with others in my field that gender roles are even more important in relationships than I originally thought. Think about it. If a woman can do anything and everything without me, then what does she really need me for—other than a "jump off?" Whether it's … [Read more...]
Singles: 3 Incredibly Helpful Ways to Take the Pressure out of Dating
To me, dating seems to resemble more of a sport than an opportunity to pursue a potential mate. Dating in some ways has become a competition with ourselves, to see what we can accomplish, with whom and what lengths we must go to make it happen. I think dating for sport might be okay if both parties knew there was some level of competition involved and exactly what the reward … [Read more...]
5 Quick Ways to Remind Your Wife How Much You Love Her; Fellas, You’ll Thank Me Later
As a husband, I realize how easy it is to get caught up in the rat race. There is so much going on in our lives; sometimes I wonder how we get it all done. Our weekends used to be a time of rest and relaxation, but even that has changed. Kids have soccer, ballet, gymnastics or whatever the event is that it seems they need to attend weekly. Some of us have church on the … [Read more...]
3 Vital Lessons to Teach Your Child About This Moment in American History—and How They Can Change It!
Undoubtedly, the challenges our nation has seen over the past few weeks and months is reaching a fever pitch. In many ways, the outrage about the circumstances of unjustified police violence has always simmered at local levels and, sometimes, boiled over into national attention. The recent killings of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile and the officers in Dallas and Baton … [Read more...]