All Posts By

Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott

Mar 01
Love0
Do Married Couples Have to Enjoy the Same Hobbies?

Do Married Couples Have to Enjoy the Same Hobbies?

By Marriage, Recreation 3 Comments

Do married couples have to enjoy the same hobbies? What if they don’t? Maybe you and your spouse find yourselves drawn toward different hobbies and recreational activities. And the longer you’ve been together, the fewer shared activities you enjoy. Your energy levels or interests may be completely out of alignment, and you’re wondering what that means about your marriage. Let’s say you want to go hiking or trail riding together, but your spouse’s idea of fun is more like spending a quiet afternoon fishing or taking a nap. They appreciate quiet closeness, while you want a companion to go on…

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Feb 22
Love0
My Spouse Filed For Divorce After Decades. What Do I Do Now?

My Spouse Filed For Divorce After Decades. What Do I Do Now?

By Marriage, Self Reflection 9 Comments

What do you do when your spouse leaves after decades of marriage? Divorce is an intensely painful and difficult experience at any stage of marriage. But if you were married for many years before your spouse left, you’re likely reeling. Maybe this divorce was completely unexpected and unwanted–and it has devastated you. You had dreams and plans for your future–and you believed you and your spouse would share those dreams together. Instead, you’re struggling to keep your head above water. You no longer know how to define your life so you can move forward. The truth is, you’re living through…

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Feb 15
Love0
Help! We Want More Emotional Intimacy in Our Marriage

Help! We Want More Emotional Intimacy in Our Marriage

By Intimacy, Marriage 2 Comments

Are you craving more emotional intimacy in your marriage? Emotional intimacy comes from the sense that you and your spouse truly know one another at the deepest level. You understand each other’s fears and both feel safe enough to be completely vulnerable. And the more you can let down your guard with one another, the greater intimacy you share. Maybe you feel like you and your spouse are lacking the level of emotional intimacy you ultimately want for your relationship. One of both of you might be struggling with vulnerability. Or, maybe you don’t feel as close as you used…

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Feb 08
Love0

My Spouse Is Afraid To Get Counseling. What Now?

By Marriage, Self Reflection One Comment

If your spouse won’t go to counseling with you, what can you do? Let’s say you and your spouse have been going through a difficult time. Maybe you’re dealing with some differences or problems that have been hard to overcome. You think that seeing a licensed counselor would benefit both of you (and your marriage), but your spouse is either afraid to go, or refuses altogether. First, remember that you can’t make your spouse seek help. You can encourage it, but ultimately, going to see a therapist or counselor is their choice. Even if you wholeheartedly believe that a counselor…

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Feb 01
Love0

I’m Married to a Control Freak. What Do I Do?

By Conflict, Marriage 4 Comments

Is your spouse a control freak? Being in a relationship with a controlling person–especially a marriage–can be quite a challenge. No one knows that better than you do. Before we jump in, the first thing you need to know is that there’s hope, and it’s possible for your spouse to get a handle on their controlling tendencies. First, you need a little more insight into what factors might be driving their controlling nature. You’ll also need some tools for communicating with them. And of course, they’ll need to keep an open heart. I (Les) admit that I’m a recovering control…

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Jan 25
Love0
My Spouse is a Sex Addict. Is There Any Hope for Our Marriage?

My Spouse is a Sex Addict. Is There Any Hope for Our Marriage?

By Intimacy, Marriage 3 Comments

Sex addiction, pornography, and associated behaviors can threaten even the most solid marriages. Even when a spouse admits the problem and it’s out in the open, it can rattle the foundation of your relationship. The fear, pain, and sense of betrayal sex addiction creates for the affected spouse is profound. For the purpose of this article, let’s assume your spouse has been struggling with sex addiction, has admitted it, and is willing to get help. Maybe they’re already seeing a therapist or attending a support group. You may feel a sense of relief that they’re getting help, but you’re also…

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Jan 18
Love0

How to Show Love in a Busy Marriage

By Marriage, Time No Comments

It’s no secret that life can be hectic and fast-paced. As you each rush from one obligation to another, it can become more and more difficult to pause and show love to one another in the ways you both need. In the midst of the daily grind, it’s easy to become short or impatient with your spouse. Rushing through life can lead not only to impatience, but outright unkindness with one another. You might not mean to be unkind, but it can happen out of frustration if you aren’t careful. So how do the two of you stay loving while…

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Jan 11
Love0
I Feel Dismissed in My Marriage

I Feel Dismissed in My Marriage. How Do I Speak Up?

By Communication One Comment

Do you feel dismissed in your marriage? Sometimes, married couples become so busy that one or both spouses may start to feel dismissed, unheard, or invisible. This can happen for many reasons. Most often, we become so busy with our lives and routines that we simply forget to slow down. Doing life at a breakneck pace can cause you to unintentionally lose sight of one another. If you don’t stay intentionally connected, then disconnection sneaks up on you over time. Eventually, one or both of you may begin to feel a sense of desperation to feel seen and known once…

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Jan 04
Love0
How to Give Your Marriage A Fresh Start in the New Year

How to Give Your Marriage A Fresh Start in the New Year

By Marriage One Comment

Does your marriage need a fresh start in the New Year? You can commit to renewing your love any time of year. But, the New Year is a great time to reflect on the recent past and set new priorities and goals for the future. If you want a fresh start in your marriage, this is the perfect time to set yourselves up for success. Every couple’s situation is unique. Still, we wanted to offer some general guidelines for the year ahead. If you’d like to reinvigorate your marriage, here are a few ways to begin. Start the Year With…

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Dec 28
Love0
Why Your Marriage Needs a Year in Review

Reflecting Together: Why Your Marriage Needs a “Year in Review”

By Marriage, Self Reflection 2 Comments

With the New Year approaching, it’s common to look ahead to the future. But having a “year in review” with your spouse is also important. Have you ever looked back at the past year together? Looking backward can give you both a sense of perspective. What things went well this year? What didn’t work out for you? What were you hoping the past year would bring? Did those things come to pass, or did life take a turn in its own direction? However the year went for you, it can be helpful to take some time to reflect together. Ultimately,…

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