Marriage Archives - SYMBIS Assessment

Feb 05

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My Spouse Says I Always Keep Score. Who’s Right?

By Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott Conflict, Marriage No Comments

What’s “fair” in marriage? Do you and your spouse keep score? We like to say that scorekeeping is for sports, not for marriage. There’s no scoreboard in your living room, and no referees calling each play. It’s just you and your spouse–and if you’re not playing on the same team, you’re headed for conflict. Do you feel like you’re carrying more than your share of the load in your marriage? If so, how can you find a better balance? Let’s talk about it. Scorekeeping Holds You Both Back Scorekeeping in marriage holds both you and your spouse back. It keeps…

Jan 29

Love0

We’re Newlywed College Students. Can We Live With My Parents?

By Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott In-laws & Family, Marriage One Comment

If you’re a married couple still in college, is it okay to live with your parents or in-laws? In our experience working on a college campus, we spent time around students daily. We witnessed this scenario hundreds of times. It’s challenging to go through college together as a married couple. Finances tend to be tight when you’re both in college, so the idea of saving money by living with parents can seem appealing. When you marry before college graduation, you experience the excitement of getting married, but the financial pressure is also very real. Living rent-free is an attractive option,…

Jan 22

Love1

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Help! My Spouse Made a Big Decision Without Asking My Opinion

By Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott Marriage One Comment

So your spouse made a big decision without consulting you. What should you do? Maybe it was time to purchase a new vehicle or piece of furniture. Or perhaps your spouse spent money you hadn’t discussed together beforehand. Regardless of the situation, you feel left out and hurt–and you wish they had spoken with you before they made the decision. It’s normal to feel upset when your spouse makes a significant decision without you. One of the most important things we have in marriage is the ability to be included in each other’s lives. When we feel excluded or as…

Jan 08

Love0

Do Opposites Really Attract?

By Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott Marriage, Relationships No Comments

Is it true that when it comes to love, opposites attract? “Opposites attract” is a popular theme in movies, television, and books. Some of our favorite stories, from the classics to modern pop culture, feature romantic couples who are complete opposites. We hear and see it depicted so often, we’ve come to believe it. Actually, “opposites attract” is a common misnomer. Sometimes, it might feel as though opposites attract, but the answer to this question isn’t straightforward. There are two ways to answer it, so let’s jump right in. We’re Attracted to Shared Values First, let’s talk about shared values….

Jan 02

Love0

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Help! My Spouse’s Unspoken Rules Are Driving Me Crazy

By Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott Marriage No Comments

Does your spouse have unspoken rules you can’t seem to follow? Every person has their own silent rules they live by, whether they realize it or not. And by the same token, we expect others to follow our rules–especially our spouse! Each of us enters marriage with an imagined picture of what we think it should look like, and sometimes, those visions clash. So let’s say your spouse seems frustrated or disappointed often, as though you’re breaking rules you’re unaware of. How do you handle this challenge? Let’s talk about it. First, Remember Your Own Unspoken Rules Our unspoken rules…

Dec 26

Love0

Celebrating a Holiday Season Full of Gratitude and Love

By Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott Marriage, Self Reflection No Comments

The holidays are a wonderful time to refocus on two of the most impactful values in life: gratitude and love. No matter what’s happening in the world around us, these are key values that remind us of what’s most important. Holidays give us the opportunity to reflect and align our lives with greater love and thankfulness for everything we have. Whatever the year has brought — and no matter what the new year has in store — it’s important to focus on positive events and lessons learned. Let’s talk about some important ways we can pause and reflect on our…

Dec 18

Love0

Have A Very Merry Newlywed Christmas

By Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott Engagement, Marriage No Comments

So you’re spending your first Christmas together as a married couple. Congratulations! How can you make this Christmas a special event you’ll remember for years to come? Your first Christmas together is a chance to set the tone for the coming years of marriage. It also offers a wonderful opportunity for establishing new traditions and making memories you can take through the decades. Most importantly, Christmas is a time to focus on the love you have for one another and the future you’re envisioning together. We’ve gathered some tips and ideas to help you make this Christmas with your spouse…

Nov 20

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My Spouse Undermines Me In Front Of The Kids. What Do I Do?

By Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott Marriage, Parenting One Comment

Parenting should be a team effort. But what happens when your spouse undermines you–especially in front of the kids? Raising and disciplining children are important joint responsibilities you and your spouse share. As a united front, the two of you are guiding your children toward what you hope will be a productive and successful adulthood. However, sometimes couples with kids get out of sync. Maybe your spouse has a habit of undermining you in front of your children when you’re trying to offer guidance or dole out discipline. How should you respond to that? Is it possible to get back…

Oct 23

Love0

Help! We’re Leading Separate Lives

By Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott Marriage No Comments

Have you and your spouse ever experienced a dry season? Do you feel more like roommates than husband and wife? If you’ve felt like you’re leading separate lives lately, there’s still hope. Marriage goes through many seasons over time. There will be periods in your life that feel less intimate than others. On the other hand, you’ll also experience times when you feel closer than ever. If you and your spouse are living through a season of disconnection, it’s important to find ways to come back together. Let’s explore some important things you and your spouse can do to get…

Oct 16

Love0

How to Celebrate Your Marriage All Year

By Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott Marriage No Comments

Do you and your spouse celebrate your marriage throughout the year? Anniversaries are wonderful times to reflect on your relationship. But we encourage you to celebrate each other all year long. These celebrations can look however you want them to, and give you something to look forward to in the midst of the mundane. If you’re ready to celebrate the life you’ve created together, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’re sharing some tips to help you get started. Your marriage deserves to be celebrated, so let’s jump right in. Don’t Wait for Typical “Special Occasions” You don’t have…

Marriage

My Spouse Says I Always Keep Score. Who’s Right?

We’re Newlywed College Students. Can We Live With My Parents?

Help! My Spouse Made a Big Decision Without Asking My Opinion

Do Opposites Really Attract?

Help! My Spouse’s Unspoken Rules Are Driving Me Crazy

Celebrating a Holiday Season Full of Gratitude and Love

Have A Very Merry Newlywed Christmas

My Spouse Undermines Me In Front Of The Kids. What Do I Do?

Help! We’re Leading Separate Lives

How to Celebrate Your Marriage All Year

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