I hold many titles in my life; daughter, sister, friend, spouse, employee, and mother. Each of these roles carry a different level of responsibility. There might be serious consequences if I neglect either one. But for me, none of those other headings mattered as much the moment I became a mother. Anyone who has been blessed by parenthood knows the event is like no other. … [Read more...]
5 Parenting Mistakes I Will Never Make Again
Yes, I'm only human and no, I wasn't provided a parenting handbook when I had my children. So the mishaps I have made along the way should be understandable, right? My parenting journey has included a little trial, some error, and a ton of advice from my older and wiser loved ones. But in the end, the raising of my daughters completely falls on the shoulders of my husband and … [Read more...]
What Motivates You to Make Your Marriage Work?
I have said it before and I will say it again, marriage requires effort. Loving someone and making them a priority comes with its own set of challenges. Whenever marriages hit those rough patches there are usually certain factors that help the couple stay focused on solution building. Without specific motivators the couple may sometimes consider taking other drastic … [Read more...]
5 Cures to Marriage Boredom
By a show of hands, how many of are experiencing some boredom within your marriage right now? Ok, don't fret, this one is for you! Keep reading. It's unrealistic to believe there won't ever be down times in your marriage. It happens to the best of us. There are moments where it appears as though nothing new or exciting is happening. It is usually the moment we start to … [Read more...]
How Will You Celebrate the Gift of Love This Week?
I love that Valentine's Day comes around every year to remind couples to give, do and be more thoughtful of one another and we sometimes put aside our differences in order to participate in this celebration of love. We focus on which gift expresses our love the most. Some of us use this time as an opportunity to take our relationship to the next level. It's a special time, it's … [Read more...]
“Marriage Is Like a Funeral to Me”
Interesting quote huh? That's exactly what I thought as I overheard a man make this comment recently. As I waited in line to purchase lunch, I stood behind this person and listened to the conversation he and the restaurant owner shared as he placed his order. The owner initiated the dialogue and asked the man if he was married, to which he firmly replied, "Naw not me! Marriage … [Read more...]
What Is Your Reputation in Your Marriage?
At work, among friends, at church and in almost every relationship we contribute to there is a certain reputation we carry based on our behaviors. We may be considered the hard worker, the funny one, or the giver depending on who we ask. Because we have so many titles and play so many roles we can actually show up differently to those in our life circles. Jobs, friends, and … [Read more...]
Is Your Spouse Aware of Your Back-Story?
We all know our past and upbringing all contribute to the type of adults and spouses we become. Unfortunately, a large number of individuals who were raised in homes where arguing, yelling, and name calling were the norm later grew up and, more than likely, sought a partner they could have a similar relationship with. People who came from loving and nurturing environments … [Read more...]
Do You “Check In” With Your Spouse?
My family never misses an opportunity to tease my husband and me about a new app we've added to our cell phones. I don't like to call it a tracking device per say, but it does provide us with the details of each other's whereabouts, if ever we need them. We have always been the type of couple to "check in" anyway. Whenever either of us is hanging out with friends and will be … [Read more...]
Parents, Please Pay Attention to Your Children and Don’t Be Afraid to Take Action
I am sickened, saddened and grieving for and with the families who lost their loved ones in Newtown, CT. However after the sadness, for me, has come anger and confusion. I cannot imagine getting my 6 year old ready for school that morning, preparing breakfast and dropping her off and heading to work only to get a call like the one the parents in Newtown received. My heart just … [Read more...]
Couples Spotlight: Jason & Jessica Young
Before I made the call to interview Jason and Jessica Young of J Young Media, I was already inspired. If you were to spend some time on their website and learn more about their mission, you would feel the same. Our conversation was enlightening, encouraging and brought a great awareness to a significant cause. Not only does this dynamic duo create impactful media, both are … [Read more...]
Pastors Aren’t The Only Ones Who Can Minister to A Couple…You Can Too
Do you have a good or better yet great marriage? Have you and your spouse mastered certain areas of your relationship? Maybe you have uncovered the key to effective communication, or perhaps you have been successful in keeping the passion burning after so many years of marriage. Whatever it may be, I am guessing there is a couple in your immediate circle who would greatly … [Read more...]
Are You Doing the Inner Work Needed to Enhance Your Marriage?
Whenever I begin coaching new couples, I make the expectations clear. First, both people must be motivated and willing to put in the necessary work. Second, we are unable to move forward if we get stuck in finger pointing mode. Last, the relationship will not improve if both individuals fail to do the inner work by focusing on their own areas of improvement. As you may have … [Read more...]
Speak Life Into Your Marriage
One of the easiest things to do is complain. People will complain about any and everything instead of creating solutions to improve a situation. We tend to grumble about our jobs, our family, and yes, our relationships. When our attention is focused only on what’s not working, we miss out on experiencing the blessings of what is working. Each individual has areas of strength … [Read more...]
4 Ways to Show Your Appreciation Daily
This past week I had the extreme pleasure of being a guest on the Michael Baisden show. The topic of discussion was "Appreciation Day". The subject mainly focused on how women should show appreciation to the men in their lives. I hadn't really considered the significance of such a topic until I was being asked to discuss it with Michael. After being presented … [Read more...]