20 Things You Should Not Say to Your Spouse (Part 1)
Words are powerful tools that can be used to lift our mates up and celebrate our unions. They can also be vicious weapons more cutting than the sharpest saber. Used thoughtlessly they can create unintended conflict. To help avoid some of that conflict, I’ve put together a collection of statements that should not be uttered...
5 Painless Ways to Save Money for Some Marital Bliss
Two major marital stressors are finances and spouses not spending enough meaningful time together. We keep getting advice to date our mates or take little getaways to reconnect and celebrate the relationship – but that costs money. And our money is already spoken for. But if we don’t find a way to finance a little...
5 Myths About Divorce
I spend a lot of time debunking myths about divorce from callers who have gotten bad information from a myriad of sources. Sometimes it’s a poorly written article or folklore. Often it’s from a well-meaning friend/relative/acquaintance who had a bad experience or dealt with a different fact pattern in their own divorce. Here are...
5 Fun Ways to Surprise Your Mate
It’s so easy to take the one we love for granted. We go through our busy days doing what we usually do and expecting our mate to do what they usually do. One way to keep things fresh and let your mate know you appreciate them is to put a surprise in their day....
How To Tell Your Mate The Truth – Honesty vs. Just Plain Mean
‘Brutal’ and ‘honesty’ don’t have to go together. Being truthful should not be synonymous with being mean. With that in mind, how do we answer those difficult questions from our spouses? The questions on topics that you know your mate is sensitive about? And yet the questions call for, and your spouse deserves, honest...
Prenuptial Agreements – Planning to Fail or Failing to Plan?
The topic of prenuptial agreements can be divisive. Whether called prenuptial agreement, ante-nuptial agreement, or marital agreement, it is actually a contract entered into by the bride and groom to-be prior to marriage to set forth terms regarding property and/or alimony issues in the event of divorce or death. Does it seem counter-intuitive...
Honor Their Father – Father’s Day Gifts for Your Mate
We’re down to the wire on getting a good Father’s Day gift. The traditional shirt and tie gifts from the past don’t work for many in this casual age we live in. The kids got Dad the fun gadgets already, so what’s left for you to celebrate the great dad you’re married to? ...
Smile-Power in Marriage
Who are you saving your smile for? A disgruntled coworker? A parent you cut off in the drop-off lane? We use smiles in a deliberate way because we know their power. An upward twist of the lips can stop a griping employee in his tracks or ease the tension in a chaotic situation. ...
Date Your Mate – For Free! (the finale)
You’ve been dating your mate for free since (or before) March when part one of Date Your Mate was published. You revved things up with all the options provided in April’s part two. But wait – there’s more! As we head into summer, this last installment of the Date Your Mate series offers suggestions...
Anti-Grumbling Marriage
Life’s little irritations can make or break us. How we choose to deal with them affects our mates and marriages. It determines our level of contentedness. Years ago people dressed their salads with oil and vinegar and homemade dressings. Homemakers were delighted when ready-made dressings became available in stores and were awed to...