Should You Stay or Should You Go? Finding Closure and Clarity in Relationships
Every relationship, no matter how healthy, faces crossroads at some point – moments where you wonder if you are truly meant to continue the journey together or if it’s time to part ways. This is a deeply emotional, often confusing, place to be. On one hand, you may still care for your partner and feel […]
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 […]
Getting Along with Extended Family for the Holidays: How to Prepare for the Festive Season Ahead
With the end of the year quickly approaching, it’s about time for the family gatherings to begin. From cozy holiday get-togethers to fantastically festive parties, there’s a lot to both look forward to and dread in the season ahead. This is especially true if you and/or your partner come from large families that typically get […]
Is a Disagreement with In-Laws Affecting Your Marriage?
In-law relationships can have a significant impact on a marriage. That’s why conflict with in-laws requires a united front that puts your marital relationship before the relationship you have with your parents. Perhaps you’ve experienced varying levels of joy and tension while interacting with your mother-in-law or father-in-law. But when the dynamics between spouses and […]
Control Issues in a Relationship
“Control issues” usually stem from fear or anxiety. When a person is afraid of an outcome or wants things to be a certain way, they can become rigid. By feeling a sense of control, they can reduce their anxiety and feel that they have power. While it is easy to label someone as controlling, it […]
How to successfully coparent, even around the holidays
There are do’s and don’ts for successful coparenting relationships. These “rules” are important for your children’s sake, so that they can enjoy a stable environment even when having to split their time between two homes; which is ultimately the goal of coparenting. Tips to improve co-parenting relationships: 1) Keep the best interest of the child […]
4 Things to Do When Dealing With a Toxic Family Member
It’s normal to have arguments, disagreements, and moments of frustration with our in-laws and close loved ones. If the disconnect becomes harmful and toxic, far beyond the occasional “button pushing” that all family members engage in it’s time to take action. “Family.” The word is dynamic, diverse, and loaded with history—and for all of us, occasional conflict, too. How […]
That’s Funny, Honey: Tips for Using Humor During Marital Conflict to Stop Fights in Their Tracks
Want to know why bringing the heat down a notch during a relationship conflict is so important? Close your eyes and picture the last time you and your spouse laughed together. Really put yourself in that memory, conjuring up how it felt. It felt good, right? Want to feel it again? There’s no question that […]
Symptoms of Codependency in Marriage & How to Overcome It
Wondering if you’re in a codependent relationship? If you are having marital issues and think you might have symptoms of codependency that are unhealthy, learn more about what it is and how it affects relationships and individuals. There are relationship therapy options that can help you both improve your relationship and save your marriage. Codependency […]