Should We Do Christian Counseling?

If you're a person of faith, like we are, you want to know that when you visit a marriage counselor you won't be told to give up and divorce.  You want to know that the counselor you're seeing is marriage friendly, comes from a Christian world view, and wants to help you achieve a healthy relationship that will last a lifetime.  

How To Speed Up Couples Therapy

When choosing to do couples therapy there is so much to be aware of. Chances are you’ve never done this before. If you have done counseling then it may not have been a good experience and you’re looking for something new or different.

Many couples only have one shot to convince their partner to do counseling. If you choose the wrong therapist or option you risk discouraging your spouse from trying anything again.

This experience will be different. It will be so much better.

Why A Museum Date in Oklahoma City Is A Great Way To Spice Up Your Relationship

Why A Museum Date in Oklahoma City Is A Great Way To Spice Up Your Relationship

You know what they say…a couple that explores together stays together…or at least having fun together scores big points in the romance realm.

Museums can be a novel way to spend time indoors during less than ideal weather.  When  you see something interesting it gives you an excuse to sit really close to read the tiny placard.  And if you have loud little people always around, many of the museums are incredibly quiet, which is a wonderful break from our crazy busy lives.  

Some of these museums might not be inline with your interests, but that’s why it’s important to go. Doing new and different things helps a romantic connection grow. You never know what will inspire you or if you’ll learn something new about your partner.  You never know what might trigger a good memory or even cause a conversation.  However you feel about the museum will spark a conversation

The Magic 5.5 Hours a Week That will Transform Your Marriage

This is the time of Thanksgiving! Giving thanks for your family, friends, pie, and of course your SPOUSE! For some you reading this eNews e-mail you may have found yourself in a rut relationally. Maybe you just don't know what to do to get started in a positive direction. Small steps are all you need. Yes, baby steps in a positive direction can be the difference between working it out and kicking them out. Before you toss in the towel try just altering 5.5 hours in your week. Not even 5.5 hours in your day JUST your week. This will make a difference:

Secret #7 How To Create Rituals, Goals, and Roles for A Happy Marriage

Secret #7 How To Create Rituals, Goals, and Roles for A Happy Marriage

The 7th and final step to creating the marriage you want is to have a "Sense of Shared Meaning." By this I mean you need to have "rituals, goals and roles" that you share. 

Marriage isn't just about raising kids, splitting chores, and making love. It can also have a spiritual dimension that has to do with creating an inner life together. Developing a culture together doesn't mean a couple sees eye to eye on every aspect of their life's philosophy....

Helping Your Spouse Win

Helping Your Spouse Win

Successful couples realize they must help their partner realize important life dreams and become effective at making each others life dreams and aspirations come true.

In short: Help each other win.

A good way to handle conflict in your marriage is working together as a team to achieve each other's life dreams. Many conflicts  in marriage are caused because life dreams are in conflict. You need to...

Secret #4 The Trick of Accepting Influence & Sharing Control

Secret #4 The Trick of Accepting Influence & Sharing Control

Successful couples accept influence from each other. 

Meaning they listen to, and seek out each other's opinions before making a decision. This is particularly hard for most men and some women. So men please don't feel like I am picking on you in this blog post. I am a man myself; I know how difficult it is to do what I am saying here. 

But it is extremely important to...

Secret #3 Turning Towards Your Partner In Times Of Need

Secret #3 Turning Towards Your Partner In Times Of Need

Successful couples turn towards each other instead of away.

Real life romance is fueled by a far more humdrum approach to staying connected. It is kept alive each time you let your spouse know he or she is valued during the grind of everyday life. 

Romance actually...

How Fondness & Admiration Leads To Success In Marriage

How Fondness & Admiration Leads To Success In Marriage

This means they retain some fundamental sense that their partner is worthy of being respected and even liked. Fondness and admiration are two of the most crucial elements in a rewarding and long-lasting romance. 

Although happily married couples may feel driven to distraction at times by their partner's personality flaws, they feel that the person they married is worthy of honor and respect. When this sense is completely missing from a marriage, the relationship has a very....

Creating Space for Your Spouse (It's not what you think)

Creating Space for Your Spouse (It's not what you think)

Something that successful couples do that separates themselves from non successful couples is they create "Cognitive Room" for each other. Meaning they know what is going on in their partner's day to day world; they know what stresses they face, what their goals are, who they like and dislike at work, names of childhood friends etc....