As a therapist, many parents complain to me that there is too much conflict and they are going in different directions. As a result, communication between members can be ineffective. This is especially true when parents are trying to raise children and teenagers who participate in afterschool activities. For instance, Alana, 46, a single mom with three children, ages ten to fifteen, wants her kids to get along better, stop bickering and arguing, and to be more respectful to... Read more
Despite the fact that financial issues and money problems are the number one subject couples argue about and a leading cause of divorce, there are few studies that address the issue of financial secrecy or financial infidelity. The reason why many people keep secrets about money is fear of being abandoned, shame, and fear of being vulnerable due to past betrayal by a parent or partner. According to researchers, romantic partners aren’t always honest about money in their relationships, but... Read more
Brian, 58, and Alyssa, 52, a couple who I counseled recently, came to my office looking to deepen their connection. They were remarried two years ago and they live in a blended family. They were both unhappy and experiencing increased stress following Allysa being laid off from work several months ago and Brian feeling burdened by working long hours and dealing with financial pressure. Alyssa put it like this, “The last three months were very challenging because less than two... Read more
The key to successful single parenting is to reflect daily upon the importance of preparing for your new life and accepting that change is necessary. It’s important to adopt a positive mindset and to set a good example for your children by using effective coping strategies. It will take time for you and your children to adjust to your new lifestyle but maintaining an optimistic outlook will help ease the transition. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and acknowledge when... Read more
Are you at risk for being in an unhealthy romantic relationship? While some men engage in one-sided or unhappy relationships, this experience is more common for women. If you are wondering if you are wasting time with the wrong person, you probably are and need to listen to your instincts. Many women in unhealthy relationships find themselves attracted to a partner who are their opposites or who they aren’t compatible with. Compatibility is about sharing common values and goals, having... Read more
Dear Terry, I’ve been married to John for ten years and I’m worried because we’ve lost the passion and loving feelings we used to have. There’s something missing from our marriage and I don’t know how to get it back. Here’s the problem – we’re more like roommates than lovers. We’re hardly ever alone and when we are, we mostly talk about our kids, Jessica and Thomas, who are three and six, and we rarely discuss our relationship or have... Read more
Jenny, 42, and Sam, 43, sit on the couch in my office and discuss their disputes about their two young children, chores, and finances. Sam says, “It seems like I can never do enough to please Jenny. She wants me to do more chores, make more money, and buy her a bigger house. Meanwhile, she took five years off from teaching to have our kids and our income was cut in half. I am glad she’s been able to raise... Read more
Every relationship has its inevitable difficulties, and conflict goes with the territory. Sometimes remarried couples avoid conflict because it signified the end of their first marriage, or led to bitter disputes that never got resolved. Avoiding conflict backfires in intimate relationships. Bottling up negative thoughts and feelings doesn’t give your partner a chance to change their behavior. However, one of the secrets of a good second marriage is learning to choose battles wisely and to distinguish between petty issues and... Read more
Learning how to give and accept apologies are essential ingredients of a strong, healthy marriage. Accepting that you and your mate do the best you can will help you be more understanding. However, this does not mean you condone his or her hurtful actions. You simply come to a more compassionate and realistic view of your spouse, let go of resentment, and experience a more harmonious life. Practicing forgiveness can lead you down the path of physical and emotional well-being.... Read more
When Maria, forty-eight, and Ethan, forty-nine, sat on the couch in my counseling office, they spoke about the stress that they experience when discussing money-related issues. Since Maria was laid off from her job, six months ago, they’re having more difficulty paying for their mortgage, household expenses, and both essential and discretionary items for themselves and their two daughters, ages eight and ten. Maria laments, “I’ve been searching for jobs but have not not been able to land one... Read more
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