Relationship Columns

My number one job with couples is helping them find the motivation to really go to work on their relationships. Once I find the key to what invigorates them and makes them want to grow the rest is easy! Here’s 9 reasons that spur many people on….

It doesn’t always cost money to entertain. Some of the most romantic dates I have been on have involved very little cost, but lots of thought, which is what makes them so romantic. For example - I was taken on a date to the beach (not far away) and in the boot of the car was a guitar, a single flower (picked from someones garden), a blanket and a bottle of softdrink and two plastic glasses. We sat on the beach, while he played the guitar (he was only learning so it wasn’t brilliant but that wasnt the point) and we talked, drank our softdrink and had the best time. It was the middle of the day but the beach was quite secluded. Another time I came home and my partner had made a banner. He used a tarp he found in the garage, and masking tape. It said, Sharyn, I love you. It was huge. It covered the whole entrance to the garage. My dad (ha ha) but it was just a spontaneuous thing he did. Then we had a picnic on the carpet in our lounge with food he had made. Very cute….. If you do things like this that don’t have to cost you money, and she doesn’t appreciate them, then you know she is only interested in the money side of things and not you…..

Do you think marriage is a turkey shoot? Are you looking for a guarantee of success? Don’t gamble with your relationship. Follow expert advice to beat the odds for divorce. Researchers can predict the success or failure of a long-term relationship…

I’m 37 and married. We have a 18 month old daughter. I discovered I was pregnant before we got married. I was told by my doctors that the chances of getting pregnant were slim to none and hadn’t used bc in 12 years…so she was quite a surprise. She is beautiful, smart and funny and really the best thing in my life right now…but Quinn and would definately not be together today if she wasn’t here. There is nothing seriously wrong…in that neither of us cheat (yet) or drink or use drugs but we really don’t like each other very much…surely don’t love each other. If it was only me that was affected, I would be gone today but the thought of chopping up my daughter’s life makes me feel like I swollowed a monkey wrench. I’m a professional but don’t make enough money to not be struggling to make it if we leave. There is a lot of fear for me in that. I am so conflicted. I will do what is right for my daughter above all else but I’m not so sure staying is the best thing. If we were able to work out an amicable separation then maybe that would be best…I’m not sure. What do you all think about living in a loveless marriage for the sake of your children?

Many times when people want to attract their ideal partner, they often make a list of things to do — action steps, if you will — that will help them meet “the one.” They add new activities into their routine, join dating services, write singles…

Empathy is the ability to feel other people’s feelings. But besides this emotional experience, there is another aspect of empathy that few people consider, and that is the physical. You may have heard stories of dogs that know when a person is…

Are You Fit To Love? is the most important question you’ll ever ask yourself. Let’s face it, our relationships are extremely important. Yet, often they are the cause of pain and struggle. Single or not, societal standards convince us that we can…

A common and popular first date is going to a movie and sharing some popcorn. But while you want the date to be fun, your purpose here is not entertainment. The reason for a first date with anyone is to see whether you want to date them a second…

I once participated in a small workshop on public speaking. Each of us was presented with the goal of deeply connecting with all eight attendees. We were to speak from the heart on a specific topic, and the audience was to connect back with the…

Six months ago an old school friend and I were chatting over coffee, putting the world to rights as women do. She was bemoaning her lack of success in meeting the “right sort” of men. I asked her if she had tried using an internet dating…