Why Won't He Propose Marriage? Relationship Tips for Brides-Hopeful

Ladies, is your man taking his sweet time popping the question? It's discouraging to brides-hopeful, to wait on grooms-reluctant to propose marriage. Here are reasons he might not be asking and how you can get him to "put a ring on it." Note, I say "he" but it can be men pushing for and women shying from marriage, too.   Why Won't He Propose Marriage? Relationship Tips for Brides-Hopeful

How to Stay Married with Selective Deafness Liberally Sprinkled with Humor

We used to say grandma was conveniently deaf. She heard what she wanted to hear. And I've found in relationships, selective deafness is not all bad. Take men... please! Take them really far away from me! Seriously, I like men. But around 50, they develop dysentery of the mouth.

They're grouchy. They complain and pontificate ad nauseum to anyone else who will listen. They make rude loud remarks. Either because they figure they're deaf so everyone else must be, or they passive-aggressively WANT the person to hear. And they love haranguing, preferably the person least able to fix what's bugging them. And my husband has adult Asperger on top  of it.  Not that I'm perfect, mind. How to Stay Married, Be Selectively Deaf
And he freely and proudly admits it. So, here's 

Parent Competition Makes for Unhealthy Relationships

I've long heard it said that parents can (and should) be able to do it all--keep a nice home, raise great kids, work full time, stay financially solvent, be healthy, etc. In 24 years of parenting four kids, I've realized that not only is that thinking flawed, it's dangerous. You can't have it all--something gives somewhere, often where you least expect it. We shouldn't expect perfection of ourselves or other parents. And most intolerable of all, is when one parent capitalize on another parent's failures to highlight her own apparently successful parenting. It's easy to pass judgement on someone else, more difficult to see our own flaws. What that boils down to is competition. And competition among parents is particularly toxic. Here's why.  Competition Among Parents is Unhealthy

Four Must-Have Relationship Rules of Emotionally Healthy Couples

Starting a relationship with a significant other can bring much happiness. As with marriage, there's a honeymoon phase where you float above problems and always get along. But the honeymoon doesn't last forever. And if some ground rules aren't put in place early on, the relationship will crumble quickly. As the relationship progresses and depending on what level it gets to, more definition may be added. Here are some must-have rules.  Four Must-Have Relationship Rules of Engagement

The Importance of Boundaries and Road Signs in Relationships

Navigating relationships with significant others or spouses is a lot like driving on back roads. There are few stoplights, street markers or warnings posted. You only know you're in a blind alley, pitfalls or wrong turn when it's too late. In relationships, the only warning signs are those partners erect themselves and, as with traffic signals,they're usually not erected until an accident has occurred.  The Importance of Boundaries and Road Signs in Relationships 

How to Talk to Kids About Sex

Parenting and Communication: How to Have 'The Talk' About Sex with Your Child
How to talk to kids about sex; possibly the most uncomfortable topic for discussion in the parenting world. How do you explain sex to kids? When should parents have 'the talk' with their children?
Read More

Dating, Relationships, Communication: Avoid Rhetorical, Opinionated Questioning

Communication, Dating and Relationships; The Dangers of Subjective, Rhetorical Questioning
Dating is like sailing a boat: it's lots of fun when skies are clear, but darn near impossible when storms brew. In order to avoid relationship storms, it's important to keep communication clear. Questioning each other breaks down communication.
Read More

Communication, Relationships and Getting Along: Quit Second-Guessing Each Other

Communication, Dating and Relationships: Avoid Second Guessing Each Other
Dating is like golfing; lots of lush, greens to enjoy, if you can avoid the sand traps. Communication in relationships presents some of the trickiest sand pits to navigate. One of the big communication 'sand pits' is second guessing each other.
Read More

Dating and Relationships--Don't Criticize or Compare Each Other's Families

Dating and Relationship Issues--Avoid Family Criticism and Comparison
Family interaction can be a big issue in new relationships. Depending upon the ages and family structure of both partners, family may play a key role, positively or negatively, in relationships. How can couples interact positively within their families?
Read More

Jealousy and Emotional Health in Relationships

Is Jealousy a Healthy Emotion for Relationships?
I've heard many people say that 'a healthy relationship should have no jealousy', or 'modern relationships should be open'. I'm going to debunk this myth right now. Jealousy is healthy emotion and has it's place in relationships.
Read More