Married Life

5 Minutes to a better marriage

Tristan Coopersmith — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 07:02:00 -0700

Great marriages take a lot of TLC. But few of us have time to read long self-help books, fill out workbooks and complete complex exercises dedicated to the cause of maintaining a successful marriage. Instead of trying to tear apart and rebuild your whole engine, try giving your marriage a simple daily tune-up instead. Whether you're a newlywed rookie or a marriage vet, every couple can benefit from these simple five-minute techniques.

What's more important: Your children or your marriage?

Tiernan McKay — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 13:40:00 -0700

Motherhood. With all of its joys and successes come endless responsibilities, chaotic schedules and a generally hectic atmosphere. Given the copious amounts of energy this job demands, there is a tendency to elevate children to 'highest priority' status in a family. But, where does that leave your marriage?

3 Ways to compromise

Jessica Padykula — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:01:00 -0700

One of the best ways to keep your relationship on track and out of trouble is to compromise. If you’re willing to cooperate and work toward turning potential hazards into harmony, you’ll go a long way in making your love last. Here are a few simple ways to introduce compromise into your relationship.

How to find a good work-love balance

Jessica Padykula — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 07:33:00 -0700

When the two of you are busy and overworked, entire days can seem to go by without so much as a cursory glance or conversation. To avoid losing touch with your significant other entirely, here are a few simple strategies for making love work despite jam-packed schedules.

How to grow as a couple

Jessica Padykula — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 08:10:00 -0700

Once you’ve been dating for a while , the need to do everything together starts to fade. The focus shifts slowly back to individual ambitions and priorities, rather than couple-oriented goals. We all need our own purposes in life, but growing not only as an individual but also as a couple can be good for your relationship. Here’s how.

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.

Plan a surprise date night for your man

Jessica Padykula — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 04:55:00 -0700

If you’re looking for a way to show your guy some extra affection , why not plan the ultimate night of appreciation? Here are some great tips for on giving him a day of pampering.

5 Sex tips for married couples

Kori Ellis — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:14:00 -0800

With a little effort and planning, you can bring the energy and passion back to your marriage, says Dr. Dorree Lynn, sex and relationship expert and founder of DrDorreeLynn.com. She offers these tips to rev up your sex life with your spouse.

Don't let menopause cause a divorce!

Ellen Sarver Dolgen — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 08:19:00 -0800

Women often find themselves divorced at the same time they're going through perimenopause and menopause. Why? Well, while there is never one reason for the breakup of a relationship, it is safe to say that the challenges of perimenopause and menopause can put tremendous strain on a couple. Here's how to diminish that effect.

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.

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.

6 Unique ways to rejuvenate a stale marriage

Kori Ellis — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:30:00 -0800

No matter how long you have been married, things can go stale for one reason or another. If you have fallen into a bit of a rut with your partner, incorporate these unique ways to rejuvenate your marriage.

5 Ways to re-fall in love

Tristan Coopersmith — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 19:35:00 -0800

Remember when the very sight of your guy made you weak in the knees? The days when you completed each other's sentences and sealed it with a kiss? The times when his best interest was always top of mind? If those days seem distant, don't worry: You are not alone.

20 Ways to improve your love life

Kori Ellis — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 08:13:00 -0800

Start improving your love life now with these 20 romantic resolutions and love tips.

4 Long-term love myths... busted

Jessica Padykula — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:36:00 -0800

Sometimes when you’re married or in a long-term relationship, single friends can make comments about never wanting to be tied down . Commitment can be seen as the beginning of a long adulthood where flirting is replaced with fights over who has to take out the trash. Sure, relationships have their ups and downs, but here’s a look at where your single friends are wrong about long-term love.

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.

How to feel comfortable with acting out bedroom fantasies

Kori Ellis — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 01:23:00 -0800

Sexual fantasies -- everyone has them, but many couples wouldn't dare act them out. If you are interested in acting out some of your bedroom fantasies, let your guard down and begin exploring them with your spouse or partner.

Trudie Styler and Sting reveal hot marriage secrets

Kim Grundy — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 09:45:00 -0800

Sting and Trudie Styler have been married for 18 years -- which is an eternity by Hollywood standards. Find out what their secret is for keeping their relationship hot and "tawdry."

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.

Never take relationship happiness for granted

Noelle Nelson — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 08:00:00 -0800

It's easy, when your relationship is going well, to take it for granted. Oh, sure, you enjoy it, you love your guy and your life together, but let's face it. As long as something doesn't come along to rock the boat, you're content, and you turn your attention to other things. Which would be fine, except... that anything you don't tend and nurture will eventually deteriorate. It's true of plants, our pets, our bodies, even your manicure. Don't give it attention, and whatever "it" is, will decline, wither away, or just plain die.