Effective Communication During Relationship Crisis: A 5-Step Framework to Reconnect When It Matters Most
By Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin, LCPC, Founder of The Marriage Restoration Project When couples contact me in a state of crisis, they often say something like, “We can’t talk without arguing,”“We’re walking on eggshells,” or“Everything turns into a fight.” They’re not alone. In moments of relational breakdown, communication becomes one of the first casualties—and yet it’s […]
How Couples Emotionally Process Divorce
Stages of Relationship Dissolution: Understanding the Emotional Journey of Divorce Consideration By Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin, Founder of The Marriage Restoration Project When couples reach out to us at The Marriage Restoration Project, they are often in pain—overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, and unsure of what to do next. What they’re experiencing is more than just conflict—it’s often […]
When Love Changes: Exploring “Sleeping Separately” in Marriage
In any relationship, what’s deemed ‘normal’ can vary from couple to couple. Whether you and your spouse have silly date night practices, have a unique cooking routine, or manage childcare in an unexpected manner, what is normal for you may seem a bit odd to someone outside of your relationship. One such area of difference […]
My husband is passive aggressive
“My husband is passive aggressive and I can’t stand it anymore! It’s so negative!” “My husband is passive aggressive and I can’t stand it anymore! It’s so negative!” Dealing with a passive aggressive person can be extremely angering and confusing. However, the way you respond to the passive aggressive behavior will influence whether or not […]
Raising Kids Together: Managing Different Parenting Styles in Marriage
While we may hate to admit it, no relationship is completely stress- and conflict-free. Each couple faces unique disagreements and stress points in their relationship, whether it’s due to money issues or arguments about how to best raise the kids. For the latter, these conflicts can often arise due to different parenting styles, with one […]
Dealing with an Insecure Husband: How to Reassure Without Losing Yourself
In any relationship or marriage, no matter how strong or how long you’ve been together, there are bumps in the road that can arise. This can especially be the case for couples in which one spouse suffers from anxiety or insecurity about themselves or the relationship. Some insecurities may be founded in reality, such as […]
Should You Check Your Husband’s Internet History? Navigating Digital Trust in Marriage
In this modern age of technology, it seems like we’re all attached to our devices, whether for work or for entertainment purposes. From spending time on social media on our phones to browsing endless shopping channels on our laptops to playing online games with friends on our favorite gaming systems, there are so many ways […]
My Wife Hates My Family—What Should I Do?
In any loving relationship, conflict can arise from the least expected of places, including your family. A favorite trope of sitcoms and dramas alike, disdain and disagreement between the ‘meddling in-laws’ and your partner can cause plenty of strife and challenges in even the healthiest of marriages. Whether it’s outright arguments at family events, actively […]
My Partner Is Not Affectionate or Romantic? How to Rekindle the Spark
In any long-term relationship, there are times when partners can become complacent and romance can seem to fade away or disappear entirely. This can be attributed to a wide variety of reasons, from the challenges of daily responsibilities getting in the way of spending time together to lack of communication. While it is no one […]
Why Do I Feel Like My Husband Is Hiding Something? Signs of Secrecy & How to Talk About It
With any relationship, open communication and trust are key to success. When one partner is being secretive or hiding things from the other, this can effectively close communication and damage the trust that has been so carefully built from the start. Oftentimes, the partner that feels the other is hiding something feels distrustful and often […]
My Husband Criticizes Me: How to Handle Constant Criticism in Marriage
No relationship is perfect, and neither is your spouse, no matter how much you love them and trust them. There are times that your partner can be challenging or disruptive, which can inevitably lead to you feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, resulting in your criticizing their behavior or actions. And while some criticism can be helpful, […]
Breaking the Cycle of Resentment: How to Let Go and Move Forward
No matter how long you’ve been together, every relationship can have highs and lows. From the excitement of first getting married to the challenges of everyday commitments and responsibilities that come soon after, there are countless hurdles that couples must work together to overcome each and every single day in their relationship. This process involves […]
The True Price of Divorce: Understanding the Financial and Emotional Costs of Divorce
When any couple reaches a breaking point in their marriage and the dreaded word, ‘divorce,’ starts to rear its ugly head, they may already feel like their relationship is on a path towards failure. Whether it’s due to infidelity, lack of communication or an outright betrayal, this is a dangerous path for any married couple […]
The Role of Self-Care in a Strong Marriage: How Taking Care of Yourself Helps the Relationship
When thinking about ways to keep a marriage vibrant and healthy, we often find ourselves considering aspects that involve both partners. Whether it’s maintaining healthy and open communication, making sure to dedicate ample quality time together or simply taking the time to show how much you care about your partner, it’s easy to understand why […]
Is It Just a Rough Patch? Recognizing When to Seek Help in Your Relationship
Every relationship has its ups and downs, whether you’ve been together for a few months, a few years or a few decades. Sometimes, these rough patches are just temporary and can be relatively easy to get through with some teamwork and a little extra elbow grease. On the other hand, these bumps in the road […]
Handling Financial Disputes: Practical Tips for Money Harmony in Marriage
In any successful marriage or partnership, there is often one point of contention that can arise, no matter how communicative and transparent you are with one another – finances. Whether you’re financially stable and secure or carefully budgeting month to month, it can be easy to reach points of disagreement or outright argument when money […]
A Partner’s Guide to Supporting Grief: Navigating Loss Together
There is no experience quite as life-changing as experiencing a tragic loss. Whether it’s the sudden death of a beloved family member or the loss of a treasured career, these life-altering experiences can truly be devastating to any individual. From the sudden absence to the loss of support to uncertainty of the future, there are […]
When the Nest Empties: Rediscovering Your Relationship After Kids Leave Home
There’s no doubt that one of the most exciting times of a parent’s life is seeing your children successfully reach adulthood and move on to the next stage of their lives. Whether this is heading off to college or moving out to start an adventure on their own, flying free from the nest is an […]
Surviving the Holidays After an Affair
While the holiday season may bring about fond memories and happy times spent with friends and family, there are some situations that can cause insurmountable stress and despair, such as experiencing the turmoil of infidelity. This betrayal is often felt tenfold during the holiday season, which is meant to be a season of celebrating love […]
The Silent Treatment: How to Communicate Through Conflict Without Withdrawal
While there are so many positive experiences that come along with marriage, the unfortunate truth is that there are some not quite as exciting experiences that every couple faces. Namely, conflicts with your spouse. Whether this is a disagreement over something simple, such as what to have for dinner, or a fully fledged argument over […]