How You Can Be Imperfect AND be a Great Parent
A huge challenge for parents is knowing how help when children make mistakes. A parent’s support, especially when things don’t go well, fosters the self-worth and self-compassion it takes to learn from what happened. I recently watched my brother coach his kids on riding new curved walls on their skateboards. There wereRead More
How to Save Your Parent-Child Connection from Technology
Touch, eye contact, and physical play feel good. They are the building blocks of parent-child connection. What’s more, they nurture our brains, hearts, and disease-fighting systems. They help us build secure relationships. Many parents see the value of helping children learn to use technology. They want to stay in touch,Read More
How to Boost Confidence in Kids as an Emotionally Engaged Dad
You may have heard that emotionally responsive parents are important to a child’s wellbeing. What does being a good dad look like to you? Our culture idolizes a tough man who doesn’t crack under pressure. Anger seems to be the most acceptable emotion to show. What did you see growingRead More
How Touch Works In a Loving Relationship
How do physical touch and consensual sex help build a healthy relationship? When you are emotionally uncomfortable with someone and they touch you, what happens? You shrink from them. You may even back away. It’s only human. For touch to be welcome, you need to feel safe, physically and emotionally.Read More
How to Grow Closer After an Argument: 3 Healing Steps
Injuries happen in all relationships. You can hurt each other even when you didn’t want to. Whether a broken relationship heals or follows a downward spiral depends on how you respond. Some couples can work through hurts fairly quickly. They talk about what upset them so they both understand whatRead More
3 BIG Signs It’s Real Love (How to tell if someone is emotionally available)
Having a partner you can talk to about anything feels wonderful. You may find yourself thinking, “This must be real love.” How do you know it’s true love? One day you may need comfort. Another day, you may need to rant. You may need help getting a meal ready, orRead More
How to Find Deeper Love by Understanding Attachment
We want closeness. But all couples fight sometimes. The biggest mistake in a relationship isn’t having arguments. What gets couples in big trouble is avoiding the emotions involved. Couples can create closer emotional connection with each other, or drive themselves apart. It depends on the way they share emotions. YouRead More
How to Understand a Pursuer – Distancer Relationship
Scene from a Pursuer Distancer Relationship: Partner 1: I wish you would pick up your stuff in the living room! Partner 2: Yeah? Well, between walking the dog, paying the bills, and working all day, I didn’t get to it. Partner 1: But it’s your stuff! I don’t want toRead More
Feel Happier, Safer & Better Understood: Couples Workshop
Here is how Mark and Elena used to spend time together: Here are Mark and Elena now, enjoying a moment of emotional connection: What’s the difference? Mark and Elena noticed a distance that wasn’t there before. So they did something about it. Ever feel like your relationship is a littleRead More
How to Meet Your Relationship Needs (and not be needy)
Each of us has a basic human need for love. The need for a secure bond is hardwired in us from birth. But we are not born knowing how to express our emotional needs in words. We need to learn about meeting needs in a relationship. Meeting our needs for emotionalRead More