Is The Purpose of Marriage To Help You Live Well?
What is the point of marriage? Experts find 3 ways a good marriage promotes wellbeing. Three experts best known for their research on love and healthy relationships are Dr. John Gottman, Dr. Sue Johnson, and Dr. Stan Tatkin. Here’s what each might say on the purpose of marriage: Dr. JohnRead More
How to Ease Someone’s Troubles by Holding Space
“I need space.” You’ve probably heard this or said it. What does that even mean? It’s about holding space for emotions. To understand each other and ourselves, we need to make room for thoughts and feelings. Holding space is essential to wellbeing and relationships. It’s like giving a gift ofRead More
What’s a Bid for Connection and Why You Need to Know
If you want any relationship to feel better, you need to know about bids for connection. A bid for connection is anything a person does to spark a positive feeling with another. It might be obvious – like a hug, a handshake and a smile. Or it might be subtleRead More
3 Relationships Skills that will Impact Your Happiness
We’re bombarded with ideas for building happiness in relationships. Media show smiling parents, laughing children, and romantic partners basking in the glow of love. You don’t have to buy what they are selling. Love and friendship thrive on actions you can learn. Here are 3 science-based skills that help build happinessRead More
11 Important Signs Of Trust In a Relationship
You could say a close relationship depends on trust. To feel close, you need to open your inner world — your thoughts and feelings — to another person. You have to trust your partner to care about how you feel and to respond. As you find your partner cares aboutRead More
How Secure Attachment Makes Relationships Work Better
Have you ever looked at a loved one’s photo and felt happy? After sharing a problem with someone who understands, did a wave of peace and calm wash over you? You might enjoy such feelings because of a special emotional bond called secure attachment. “A secure bond is…. a vitalRead More
How to Keep Love Strong with Friendly Eye Contact
Eye contact in relationships has a huge impact on making you feel loved. When love is new, eye contact can be spine-tingling and exhilarating. “When we gaze into each other’s eyes, we are looking at somebody who isn’t predictable. We’re reminded we don’t really know them fully, and that’s exciting,”Read More
Do You Hide Personal Problems From Your Spouse?
Do you hide personal issues you’re facing from your partner? You might want to protect your loved one from worrying too much. But there’s a risk to your partnership in keeping too much of your inner world to yourself. Let me explain with a quick story. I worked with oneRead More
This is How the Happiest Couples Put Their Relationship first
Modern life puts a great deal of pressure our relationships. Does this sound like you? You struggle to balance work, family and “me” time. You scramble to keep up with loved ones, friends and colleagues. Maybe you’re juggling childcare, elder care, house care, health concerns or car problems. You wonderRead More
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