Communication Styles

Helping your kids discern between message and messenger

Jen Klein — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:00:00 -0800

Teaching your kids effective communication is a critical part of parenting -- and one we often don’t think about enough. With everything there is to teach, communication is just naturally a part of it, right? Well, sort of. There are elements of effective communication that need to be specifically addressed. Discerning between the messenger and the message is one of them.

The best things you can do for your relationship

Jessica Padykula — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 08:23:00 -0700

Making a relationship work takes effort. Check out our list of tried-and-true strategies to improve how you and your partner interact and love one another as your relationship grows.

Small gestures that can improve your marriage

Jessica Padykula — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 05:30:00 -0800

It’s easy to forget about little niceties when you’re stressed out and overwhelmed with everyday life. But if you forget about the small things too often, you could be sending your marriage down the path of no return. Check out these small gestures that can help improve your marriage.

10 Rules for bridezillas

Sonja Holbrook — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 09:32:00 -0800

This may come as news to you, but your wedding day is not the one day of your life where you're allowed to become a screaming, demanding shrew. You'll have the rest of your married life to be that way. Your wedding day is a celebration and demonstration of love and commitment to your partner. While stress and anxiety is part and parcel of the wedding process, this does not give you the right to abuse everyone around you. They'll wish they'd saved the $100 on your wedding gift and gone to In & Out instead. To avoid the often irreparable damage that comes with demonic possession, add these items to your day planner, right along side your 'Thank You' list.

How to resolve your next argument

Jessica Padykula — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:13:00 -0800

Fights are a fact of relationship life. The hard part, of course, is resolving them quickly and in a way that doesn’t leave one party feeling jilted. Here are some ways to settle your next argument before it turns into an epic battle.

How to deal with marriage humps

Tristan Coopersmith — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 10:19:00 -0800

Remember your wedding day? That beautiful, blissful day when you wished you could just freeze time and live in the fantasy forever? And then there was your honeymoon: days or even weeks of luxurious pampering. Then real life hit, and at some point, you were reminded of why you took that "for better or for worse" vow. Sure, marriage veterans – those who'd survived and those who hadn't – warned you that marriage wasn't easy, that it took work, but wow -- who knew you would hit humps like these? Fear no more: There's no marriage hump you can't get over if you're armed with the right tools.

Secrets for maintaining a successful marriage

Jessica Padykula — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:11:00 -0800

Marriage is a wonderful thing, but it also takes hard work if you want it to succeed. For that reason, we turned Tina B. Tessina, PhD, psychotherapist and author of Money, Sex and Kids: Stop Fighting about the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage, about the keys to making your marriage work.

7 Smart reasons to break up

Tristan Coopersmith — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:00:00 -0800

We all know the major reasons to breakup with someone: infidelity, no common goals, abuse, loss of interest. But do you really have to wait until one of these biggies happens to call it quits? Wouldn't it be more admirable to take the high road and say goodbye before smaller things build up into one of the majors? Here's a look at some of the less severe but equally legitimate and smart reasons to break up with someone so that you can move toward a more fulfilling relationship.

How to really get over your ex

Kori Ellis — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:34:00 -0800

Don't let a breakup devastate your life. Follow these tips to move forward and really get over your ex-husband or ex-boyfriend.

10 Tips for getting your couch potato guy off the couch

Sandy Smith — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 10:04:00 -0800

If your man prefers the couch and potato chips to breaking a sweat and improving his health, you’ll need to be cunning in motivating him to move – we all know couch potatoes are hard to convince that sweat is better than sweets. Don’t despair, here are 10 tips for getting your guy to work out with you. After all, a healthy couple is a happy couple.

Sex talk: How to get exactly what you want from your partner

Kori Ellis — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:55:00 -0800

Whether your sex life is really good or a little bit lacking, it can always be better. If you aren't getting exactly what you want in the bedroom, let your partner know how to satisfy you.

How to help your BFF through a breakup

Jessica Padykula — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:02:00 -0800

If your BFF has just been dumped there are a few ways you can make things easier for her. Follow our steps to keeping your freshly-single gal pal’s head above water.

My husband, the clam

Noelle Nelson — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 06:00:00 -0800

Ever wonder why your husband won't talk with you much? Oh, sure, he's good for the occasional riff about work or sports, and he certainly has gotten good with his share of "Yes, dear," but when it comes to sharing his opinion on other things? Like issues with the kids, or ideas for vacation , or pointing out stuff he's found on the Net? Zip, nada. It's like you're married to a clam.

How to get your ex-boyfriend back

Kori Ellis — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 10:37:00 -0800

You thought he was your soulmate. You were sure you were going to spend the rest of your lives together -- but you broke up, and now you want him back. Follow these tips to get your ex-boyfriend back and keep him this time.

How to know it’s time to move on

Kori Ellis — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 06:00:00 -0800

My friend Sharon says she knew her seven-year relationship was over when she realized that she spent more time fantasizing about how to kill him than she did fantasizing about having sex with him. She was joking but it's interesting what it often takes for someone to realize it's time to move on from a relationship.

Avoid cheating temptation

Tristan Coopersmith — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:34:00 -0800

A new infidelity story seems to hit the media waves every week, and as widely accepted as cheating has become among celebrities, it remains our biggest fear in common marriages. And for good reason! Threats to marriages are everywhere, but the greatest threat – the one you truly need to worry about – is at home. By not maintaining a strong marriage, both physically and emotionally, any marriage runs the risk of becoming unfaithful. Whether your relationship's current status is A+ or faltering, try out this week of activities to keep you and your spouse on a loving, committed track, removing any potential temptation to stray.

Killing him not-so-softly with your silence

Noelle Nelson — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 07:00:00 -0800

The Silent Treatment. Does it work for you? Could there be a better way to deal with conflicts in your relationship? Read on...

4 Signs your relationship is going nowhere

Kori Ellis — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 10:00:00 -0700

Are you in a dead-end relationship? Sometimes, it's easy to see the writing on the wall -- but other times, things aren't so clear. We talked to relationship advisor and therapist Dr. Terri Orbuch, author of Five Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great for expert advice and signs your relationship is going nowhere.

5 Signs he's having an affair

Kori Ellis — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 13:07:00 -0700

Do you suspect your significant other is having an affair? Don't start making wild accusations just yet. Watch for these signs that he might be cheating and then decide what you are going to do about it.

Communicating sexual dissatisfaction

Tristan Coopersmith — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 03:26:00 -0700

For many, having sex is easier than talking about it. Yet, couples who claim to have fantastic sex lives unanimously agree: A main ingredient in their secret sauce is communication. At first look, communication may not sound as sexy as wearing spicy lingerie, learning a new sex trick or becoming an exhibitionist, but the simple act of being able to communicate your needs and desires builds intimacy on a grand level. And if you don't talk about them, chances are that sexual dissatisfaction will infect other areas of the relationship. Here's a step-by-step guide to discussing sex with your partner.

Do you know how to flatter your man?

Noelle Nelson — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:51:00 -0700

Do you know how to flatter your guy? Take this quiz to see if you know a guaranteed way to make your guy beam .