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In-laws & Family

When Your Spouse Won’t Listen

By Communication, Conflict, In-laws & Family, Scripture, Self Reflection 22 Comments

We all desire to be seen and heard. It is true at work, in our relationships, and most especially with our spouses. Fewer things are more empowering than articulating thoughts that are heard, received, considered and used to grow our relationships. On the contrary, not feeling heard disempowers, erodes and stunts our relationships from maturing. Worse, if it happens over a period of time it can lead to anger, distance and apathy. So what do you do if your spouse won’t listen to you? If you find yourself in that situation, you likely feel frustrated, at best–and entitled, at worst….

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Secrets to Creating Awesome Dates

By Communication, In-laws & Family, Self Reflection, Time 9 Comments

Dating your spouse is a great way to sustain and nurture the intimacy in your marriage. We highly recommend taking the time to have a regular date night with your husband or wife. Taking time away from your day-to-day life to focus on one another is a fantastic way to stay connected in spite of whatever else is going on in your life. Today, we’re sharing a few ways you and your spouse can create awesome dates–and great memories along the way. Tie Up Loose Ends at Home This may sound like a strange way to create an amazing date,…

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Tuning Out: Having Sex With Kids at Home

By Communication, Conflict, In-laws & Family, Self Reflection 2 Comments

My wife will not have sex if our grade-school age children are at home. Is that normal? So you’re a husband who’s feeling a little frustrated–and with good reason! Women are so in tune with their environment, and especially with the people and things they feel responsible for, that it can sometimes create issues in the bedroom. Seemingly small annoyances like sounds in the house, cracks in the door or blinds, or the sound of your kids playing in the other room can wreak havoc on a woman’s ability to focus on sex. Men seem to have less of a…

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4 Ways Worry Can Devastate Your Marriage

By Careers, Communication, Conflict, In-laws & Family, Self Reflection, Time 13 Comments

It’s easy to get bogged down by worry, but it’s essential to resist the pull. Worrying prevents you from living life fully, and from truly experiencing the richness of your relationships–especially your marriage. In Matthew 6:27, Jesus asks, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Worry occupies your mind, but it accomplishes nothing. It steals your time and misdirects your focus. It borrows trouble, creating all manner of worst-case scenarios in your mind that will probably never come to be. At its very worst, worry can turn you into a destructive person before…

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Recovering from the Disease to Please

By Communication, Conflict, In-laws & Family, Self Reflection No Comments

Is there anything I can learn to make myself less sensitive? Women tend to be incredibly sensitive to criticism. This is a fantastic quality when applied to the appropriate situations, but when it transforms into a “disease to please,” it can become destructive (to you and the people you love!). So many women we come across feel fulfilled when the things they do and say receive affirmation. They love to please the people they love. But on the flipside, they’re completely crushed when they receive criticism from a loved one. Today, Leslie discusses how to shift your perspective if you’re…

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Let Your Wife Be Your Wife. Let Your Mom Be Your Mom.

By Communication, Conflict, In-laws & Family 24 Comments

Getting married is wonderful, but newlywed life can be a tricky business, especially when it comes to unpacking the expectations husbands and wives have for one another from day one. Often, husbands and wives don’t really know what they’ve signed up for. When expectations collide with reality, things can get messy. Today, we’ll talk about one of the most common comparisons, and the unrealistic expectations that come with it: husbands comparing their wives to their mothers. One of the most inflammatory things a husband can say to his wife is, “That’s not how Mom did it.” Let’s look into some…

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Dealing with a Spouse’s Depression

By Communication, Conflict, In-laws & Family, Self Reflection 41 Comments

Imagine that your spouse has had a sudden personality change. Maybe he is usually an upbeat person who loves to interact with people, and suddenly he is acting cynical and avoiding people (including you). Or perhaps your normally energetic wife is becoming increasingly lethargic and sad, spending more and more time in the bed or on the couch. One thing’s for sure: they’re acting completely out of character, and you can’t seem to get through to them. At first, you feel angry. They’re saying things they normally wouldn’t say–things that disturb or upset you–and you can’t seem to help brighten…

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Tips for Building Your Spouse Up

By Communication, Conflict, In-laws & Family, Self Reflection One Comment

How can I increase my spouse’s self-esteem? At some point in our lives, we all deal with issues regarding our self-esteem. Couples can be a great source of strength for one another when it comes to boosting a sense of self-respect in both individuals. You are the #1 person in the world who can help your spouse become happier and more confident. In today’s video, we’ll share some ways you can start working to help your spouse build a healthy sense of self-esteem. Since you’re married to your spouse, and you share a home and life together, you’re in the…

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How to Overcome Loneliness in Marriage

By Communication, Conflict, In-laws & Family, Self Reflection, Time 4 Comments

Why do I sometimes feel lonely in my marriage? So you’re a newlywed, married to your soul mate. Life is looking perfect–and then you feel something you weren’t expecting to feel again. Ever. You feel lonely. How did this happen? While you and your spouse were engaged, you dreamed of all the ways you would fulfill each other’s every need. You promised each other (and yourselves) that you’d never feel lonely again. This loneliness has you in a panic; how could this happen? We often see couples, especially newlyweds, who are struggling with feeling lonely in their marriages. This may…

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5 Valentine’s Day Must Do’s for Your Spouse

By Communication, In-laws & Family, Self Reflection, Time 8 Comments

Valentine’s Day is almost here! No other day of the year focuses so closely on love, so this is your perfect chance to show your spouse how much they mean to you. If your marriage is strong, these ideas will strengthen your bond. If you’re struggling, they’re great ideas to spark the positive changes you’re craving in your relationship. Today we’re sharing 5 things you must do for your spouse on Valentine’s Day this year. They’re designed with flexibility and creativity in mind, so take them and make them your own! The possibilities are endless. Write a love letter. Hand-writing…

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