Here are a few ideas which may get you thinking of how you can do “small things often” and turn towards your partner to show them you are loving them intentionally. In turn these small things will add to your emotional bank account, deposits that create a stronger bond in your partnership.
Arguments
Intentional Parenting: 8 ways to be intentional with the time you have to spend with your family - Take time to unplug
In affirmation, arguments, avoidance, balance, check in, closeness, communication, Conflict, love, marriage, PREPARE/ENRICH, quality time, relationship dynamics, family, gratitude, intimacy
19 April 2018 | 0 Comments
Intentional Parenting: 8 ways to be intentional with the time you have to spend with your family
In affirmation, arguments, avoidance, balance, check in, closeness, communication, Conflict, love, marriage, PREPARE/ENRICH, quality time, relationship dynamics, family, gratitude, intimacy
12 April 2018 | 0 Comments
Many people make resolutions around their own lifestyle changes that will improve their quality of life. While we tend to make unobtainable goals, many people still have a go, and some succeed. Researchers call this feeling the “fresh start effect”. They have found that we tend to motivate ourselves into good habits by using a new beginning (like the start of the week, month, year, season, etc.) as a marker to put past behavior behind us and focus on being better. It brings opportunity to reflect on the previous year and anticipate what you want the New Year to look like.
The top 12 remarriage stumbling blocks
In affirmation, arguments, avoidance, balance, check in, closeness, communication, Conflict, love, marriage, relationship dynamics, remarriage, Remarrying Couples, step families, step family, family, gratitude, intimacy
15 February 2018 | 0 Comments
Couple Flexibility and Couple Closeness are most important for step-parents
In affirmation, arguments, avoidance, balance, check in, closeness, communication, Conflict, love, marriage, PREPARE/ENRICH, relationship dynamics, remarriage, step families, step family, family, gratitude, intimacy
08 February 2018 | 0 Comments
Encourage couples and professionals to focus more on the strengths of marriage, especially remarriage and the creation of stepfamilies, rather than only problems
In affirmation, arguments, avoidance, balance, check in, closeness, communication, Conflict, love, marriage, PREPARE/ENRICH, relationship dynamics, remarriage, family, gratitude, intimacy
01 February 2018 | 0 Comments
In 2010 David Olson, Amy Olson-Sigg & Peter Larson carried out a study in the US using >50 thousand premarital couples (both partners), whose marriages were about to create a stepfamily. The survey identified the Five Keys to Intimacy, which is made up of the top five strengths that clearly distinguish great relationships from unsatisfying ones, along with the Top Ten Strengths of Happy versus Unhappy Couples Creating Step Families.
Consider articulating relationship (and family) outcomes and put them where you and your partner can see them
In affirmation, arguments, avoidance, balance, check in, closeness, communication, Conflict, love, marriage, PREPARE/ENRICH, relationship dynamics, family, gratitude, intimacy
25 January 2018 | 0 Comments
Accountability (or lack of it) can be the reason you reach (or fail to reach) a particular outcome: Ensure 2018 is the exception
In affirmation, arguments, avoidance, balance, check in, closeness, communication, Conflict, love, marriage, PREPARE/ENRICH, relationship dynamics, family, gratitude, intimacy
18 January 2018 | 0 Comments
When you put effort towards something, it can be helpful to foresee outcomes. Whether you work through your PREPARE/ENRICH assessment results in its entirety or section by section, articulating outcomes now and being mindful of them along the way will help guide you and your partner to find success through this journey.
Struggling with in-laws this holiday season? 5 easy ways to relax while on a family holiday
In affirmation, arguments, avoidance, balance, check in, closeness, communication, Conflict, love, marriage, PREPARE/ENRICH, relationship dynamics, summer vacation, family, gratitude, holidays, intimacy
11 January 2018 | 0 Comments
Financial Stress and Premarital Couples
In argument, arguments, assessment, australia, communication, Conflict, Conflicted, Conventional, counseling, counselling, couple assessment, couples, managing conflict, marriage, marriage assessment, money, relationship education, relationships, enrich, Finances, finances, prepare/enrich
22 January 2015 | 1 Comment
An Australian study has shown that there is a strong link between experience of financial hardship and personal psychological distress (Creed, P.A., & Miller, J. Psychological distress in the labour market: Shame or deprivation? Australian Journal of Psychology, 2006, 58, 31-39). One point made by the authors is that financial distress reduces a person’s capacity to plan and interferes with planning for a meaningful future. It is this that primarily reduces psychological wellbeing.
The golden rule of budgeting: Spend less than you earn and save and invest the rest
In argument, arguments, assessment, australia, communication, Conflict, Conflicted, Conventional, counseling, counselling, couple assessment, couples, managing conflict, marriage, marriage assessment, money, relationship education, relationships, enrich, Finances, finances, prepare/enrich
14 January 2015 | 1 Comment
Money is a powerful word that conjures up a number of emotions, among them lust, envy, fear, anger, hope, scorn and disgust. Little wonder then, that the most common source of disagreement in families in Australia is money. According to a 2012 study (Hawkins et al) 40% claimed that the way their spouse handles money, was the reason for divorce (third to growing apart 55% and not able to talk together 53%.