Category

Time

Apr 27
Love38

How to Stop Controlling Your Spouse

By Communication, Conflict, Self Reflection, Time 70 Comments

Why do we try to stay in control? Often, when we’re trying to control others (in this case, our spouse), we’re acting out of fear. Perhaps it’s fear of the unknown, or just the simple fear of not getting something that we deeply desire. Whatever the case, the primary motivating factor in controlling behavior is often fear. Fear itself can have many different triggers. If you’ve been betrayed by your spouse in the past (in the case of infidelity–or any other breach of trust, for that matter), you might resort to control in order to alleviate your fear of further…

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Apr 20
Love26

Why you should eliminate the word “Always” from your marriage

By Communication, Conflict, Self Reflection, Time 4 Comments

Do these phrases sound familiar? “You always interrupt me.” “You always put __________ before me.” “You always forget.” Making absolute accusations to or about your spouse will get you nowhere fast. We have all done it (probably more than once!), but “always” is a word we throw around that must, without a doubt, be eliminated from our relationship vocabulary–especially when it comes to communicating with our spouse. Words can be both building blocks and bulldozers. You can spend days, months, and years using positive and encouraging words toward your spouse, only to shake your solid foundation with a careless phrase…

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Apr 08
Love20

What to Do When Your Kids Want You to Date Again

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

I have been divorced for two years and have teenage kids. They want me to date. Is it too soon? What do you do when you’ve recently gone through a divorce–and your kids are encouraging you to date again? Typically, children (of all ages) are resistant to the idea of a single parent dating. Divorce turns a family’s world upside down and inside-out, and often the idea of welcoming a new love interest on the scene is unpalatable for the kids–and unsettling for the single parent, even if the desire for a new relationship exists. If your own children are…

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Mar 16
Love22

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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Mar 04
Love18

Affair-Proofing Your Marriage: Filling Emotional Gaps

By Communication, Conflict, Self Reflection, Time No Comments

What is the most important thing I can do to protect my marriage against an affair? We don’t always anticipate asking ourselves this question, but often, once we’re married, we find ourselves becoming fearful of an extramarital affair. It’s not something we should take lightly; after all, statistics for infidelity and divorce have been very high for a long time. If you’re doubting your ability to keep your commitment to your spouse (or your spouse’s ability to stay committed to you), it’s time to evaluate what’s behind your fears. Do you have areas of your life where your emotional needs…

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Mar 02
Love31

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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Feb 10
Love29

He’s Not The Man I Married

By Communication, Conflict, Self Reflection, Time 17 Comments

It’s said that there is one constant in life, and that’s change. Every day is a new day, and with each passing month and year your life will look different from the last. Some change is bad, but likely most of it can be viewed as good. It’s all about perspective and what you choose to highlight and build into. Think about yourself one year ago from this time–then five, maybe even ten. Think about your spouse the same way. Likely, if you have been married for any length of time, you’re not the same person you were back then….

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Feb 05
Love20

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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Feb 03
Love27

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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Jan 29
Love22

Mom Guilt: Remembering the Value of Being a Stay-at-Home Mom

By Careers, Communication, Conflict, In-laws & Family, Self Reflection, Time 3 Comments

I feel embarrassed to be a stay-at-home-mom. How can I put more value into that? Mom guilt: it’s a dreaded concept, and an unfortunate reality for most mothers. No matter what choices they’ve made regarding raising children and investing in their careers, women feel guilty. There seems to be no right answer, and there is definitely no perfect choice. In today’s video, Leslie tackles the mom guilt monster and discusses ways for mothers to start feeling more secure in their decisions. You’re feeling immense pressure because you’re the only mom your kids have, and you’re trying to be fully present…

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