Researchers at Emory University have surveyed couples to learn more about what helps a new marriage begin on the right foot – and what makes it last. Their study, titled “A Diamond is Forever and Other Fairy Tales,” examines facets of marriage such as the financial investment couples make when they marry and how long
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When you first got together, what did the word “commitment” mean to you? It’s a multifaceted concept, and if you got married decades ago, you may not have thought much about it. Many of us took our vows without reflecting much on the pledge we were making. That’s because marriage was generally seen as a
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When the people you love most in the world don’t get along, it can be tremendously painful. If you’re feeling caught between the family you grew up in and the family you’ve created with your spouse or partner – with or without children of your own – you know exactly what I’m talking about. You
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Just about any marriage can go through times when one partner is less interested in sex than the other. Often, this is a short-term concern that relates to stress in other areas of life. All it signifies is that one of you is more distracted or tired than usual, thanks to a sudden change in
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Balancing a demanding job with the needs of your partner is an everyday challenge for millions of us. And while many of us feel that our loved ones work far more than they should, we acknowledge that careers are important – both for financial and personal reasons. If one of you works far more than
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When your spouse or partner is in the midst of a personal crisis, do you feel confident that you’ll know how to offer the right kind of support? Many of the couples I see in marriage therapy struggle to work together effectively during dark times. The reasons for their difficulties usually go far beyond the
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All of us make assumptions in our relationships. These “educated guesses” about what our spouses are thinking, feeling or doing may come from influences such as the media or what we’ve learned from family and friends. However, assuming we know where our partners stand — instead of taking time to ask them directly – is
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Most married people struggle with in-law issues at some point in time. If you feel your in-laws don’t accept you or they’re critical of your spouse, you are experiencing some of the conflicts that can plague these close family relationships. Having difficulties with your in-laws doesn’t mean you’re in a troubled marriage, though. Conflict of
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Do you pay more attention to your smartphone than your spouse? Have you been avoiding sex – or hiding big purchases from your partner? These are just a few examples of behaviors that can do serious harm to your relationship, according to marriage counselors who work closely with couples. The good news is that it’s
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Feeling close to your spouse or partner is often the result of spending time together, doing things you both enjoy. Partners who make it a point to reserve time for each other find that their shared experiences give them a common frame of reference and increase the positive, loving feelings they have for one another.
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