All Posts By

Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott

Oct 19
Love27

The Keys to Unlock Great Communication

By Communication 3 Comments

When you ask any couple what the key to a successful marriage is, they’ll likely include “great communication” in their list. But when we’ve asked couples what “good communication” is, we’ve gotten a lot of foggy answers. Not everyone knows the basics to communicating well, and that can lead to a lot of frustration and unmet expectations in a marriage. With so many thick books on communication, it is sometimes difficult to cut through the clutter and sum it all up, so we’ve listed out what we think are great places to start. Here are five keys to unlocking great…

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Oct 14
Love14

Living Separate Lives: When Spouses Disconnect

By Communication, Conflict One Comment

My wife and I live separate lives, but God hates divorce. Does God want us to be miserable? If you’re experiencing a dry season in your marriage, take heart–every marriage goes through difficult seasons. Every relationship experiences ebbs and flows in intimacy, and no married couple is going to feel emotionally connected all the time. But right now, it sounds like you feel entrenched, unsatisfied and empty. If you and your spouse have grown overly independent, your marriage may have begun to feel boring and unfulfilling. Maybe you’re still committed, even though that commitment may have been tested. And perhaps…

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Oct 12
Love23

Facing Stress Together: How to Keep Your Sanity & Marriage Intact

By Communication, Conflict 9 Comments

Going through a stressful season or life event can take a toll on your marriage and family. How do you deal with the stress together, while keeping your sanity and marriage intact? Today, we’re sharing some tips on how to deal with stressful times as a couple. Remember You’re on the Same Team When the going gets tough, it can be easy for spouses to become agitated with–or even pitted against–one another. We know this isn’t where you want to end up! So when you’re really feeling the pressure of whatever situation you’re in, breathe and remind yourself that the…

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Oct 07
Love11

Angry Outbursts: How Do I Respond?

By Uncategorized 24 Comments

How do I respond to my husband’s angry outbursts? He swears, yells, and becomes destructive. No one deserves to put up with anger like that from a spouse–be it husband or wife. It’s lethal to your marriage, and toxic to you and your family. A home environment like you’re describing is only going to escalate in intensity and severity unless you’re able to set some boundaries and get help. Sure, everyone has times when they lose touch with reality, let their emotions get the better of them, and fly off the handle. But when a situation moves from a one-time…

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Oct 05
Love25

6 Tips for Supporting Your Spouse’s Job Search

By Communication 9 Comments

A change in jobs can be a really stressful time for a couple. Not only are finances in consideration, but the fear of the unknown can take an emotional toll as well. Whether your spouse is looking for a new job because they’re searching for the career they’ve always dreamed about, or they’re hunting for the next thing because they were recently laid off, your strength as a partnership will be put to the test. Here are 6 reminders for supporting your spouse during their job search: Remind them of their gifts, passions, and talents. It’s easy to get quickly…

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Sep 30
Love13

How to Listen to Your Spouse–Not Just Hear

By Communication, In-laws & Family One Comment

Is listening important? Why is what we hear more important than what we say in our conversations? It’s been said that the first duty of love is to listen. When we feel heard, we feel loved, known, and understood. Listening is all about communication, and it’s an important skill to cultivate and practice with your spouse. In today’s video, we’re discussing the importance of effective listening when communicating with your husband or wife. When your spouse is communicating with you, it’s important to listen to the verbiage–not just to the words being said, but the underlying emotions. Then, reflect those…

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Sep 28
Love20

6 Reasons a Kid-Free Adventure Together is a MUST

By Communication, In-laws & Family, Time 4 Comments

If you and your spouse have children, you know that parenthood is an all-consuming role–especially when the kids are young. Daily routines trump adventure most days, and you find yourself longing for a little time alone together. You might feel a little guilty at the thought of taking a kid-free adventure together, but trust us–it’s healthy for your marriage, for the two of you as individuals, and for your kids, too! Today, we’re sharing 6 reasons why taking a kid-free adventure together is a MUST for your marriage and your family. Grown-Up Time How often do you get time to…

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Sep 23
Love15

Raising Independent Daughters: Instilling Strength & Self-Assurance

By Communication, In-laws & Family No Comments

How can I raise my daughter to feel strong and self-assured enough to avoid being dependent on men? You’ve taken time to consider women’s roles in society, and the boxes they often find themselves forced into. But you have a daughter, and you want something different for her. You don’t want her to be dependent on men for approval, or to fulfill her dreams. Instead, it’s important for you to teach your daughter she’s capable of creating a future of her own. So what do you do? In today’s video, I (Leslie) am discussing some ways you can help your…

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Sep 21
Love19

What to Do When You Don’t Share Interests

By Communication, Conflict 3 Comments

“Self-interest is the enemy of all true affection.” –Franklin D. Roosevelt He likes going to football games. You like going to concerts. She likes Mexican food. You like Chinese. While love for each other is your common bond, you may not share the same hobbies or interests. So, what do you do when you’re trying to decide how to spend your free time (or even decide what to eat for dinner)? In today’s video, we’re discussing what it means when you don’t share the same interests, and how to leverage that for the growth and betterment of your relationship. “As…

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Sep 16
Love10

How to Mother if You Grew Up Motherless

By Uncategorized No Comments

I never had a mother. How will this affect my little girl? If you grew up in a home with a single father, and no mother, you have the unique experience of being fathered. When you’re raised by a single parent, you’re exposed to every facet of that parent’s personality and being…but you still felt the void of the parent who was missing from the picture. In today’s video, we’re talking about ways to approach parenting if you grew up without a mom, and are unsure how to mother now that you have children of your own. While many single…

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