Relationship tips and advice from a licensed clinician.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
To New Moms
I've noticed that sometimes new moms are understandably hesitant to let dad do his part when it comes to baby. (Of course, agreeing on his role is essential.)
As important is letting dad find his way of caring for baby. If he gets the message that his style isn't ok, he may pull back and then you'll have problems down the road.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Commercial porn Web sites, magazines, books, videos, DVDs, cable television, etc., generate more than $ 97 billion dollars annually worldwide (an increase of 70 percent from 2003 to 2007). In the United States alone, porn revenue is larger than all combined revenues of all professional football, baseball, and basketball franchises.
Maltz, Wendy; Maltz, Larry (2009-10-13). The Porn Trap: The Essential Guide to Overcoming Problems Caused by Pornography (pp. 16-17). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Relationship Power Struggles.
Have you ever felt sure that you knew what was best, or what was right?
You can be just as sure that your partner has felt that way, too.
So, you each dig in and hold your ground, because you're right, right?
In the meantime, your relationship suffers wounds and sometimes they're deep.
Be sure to pick your battles...carefully.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Relationship Insight: Part 2.
Compile a short list of the feelings that make up your emotional reactivity (see blog entry: Relationship Insight: Part 1).
Take some time with each feeling. Write out what your particular emotions might say about you and what you experienced in previous relationships.
Include relationships with siblings and each parent, as well as previous significant others.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Validation in Relationships
A way to check the effectiveness of validation skills is to ask your partner if, in fact, they feel heard and acknowledged.
Be advised that what feels validating to one may not feel validating to the other.
Remember validation is NOT agreement. Rather, it's an acknowledgement, or a way of letting your partner know that even if you don't agree, you believe they do have a right to a differing point of view.
The icing on that loving cake is your sincere interest and curiosity about this difference.
Be advised that what feels validating to one may not feel validating to the other.
Remember validation is NOT agreement. Rather, it's an acknowledgement, or a way of letting your partner know that even if you don't agree, you believe they do have a right to a differing point of view.
The icing on that loving cake is your sincere interest and curiosity about this difference.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Relationship Insight: Part 1
This type of self-knowledge is complex and, to a great extent, a process of bringing the unconscious into awareness.
One method is to clarify the elements of your emotional reactivity, or the feelings you experience during and after conflict with your partner.
To accomplish this usefully, be sure to dig deeper than the secondary feelings of anger and frustration, into the primary feelings of vulnerability such as fear, inadequacy and helplessness, etc.
One method is to clarify the elements of your emotional reactivity, or the feelings you experience during and after conflict with your partner.
To accomplish this usefully, be sure to dig deeper than the secondary feelings of anger and frustration, into the primary feelings of vulnerability such as fear, inadequacy and helplessness, etc.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Validation
Beware the temptation to over-focus on what your partner does/doesn't do to spoil your relationship.
A good example could be your feeling that your partner doesn't validate or acknowledge your worries.
They might being doing a lousy job of validating you, but don't forget to review your own performance in this area with the same scrutiny.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Step-Parenting
Step-parenting is a big challenge significantly impacting lives in the present and future.
I worry about the step-parent with no prior parenting experience suddenly finding themselves as the newest member of a long and well-established family system.
A great and essential book on this topic is:
http://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Stepfamily-Emily-Visher/dp/0876306490/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381330088&sr=1-1&keywords=how+to+win+as+a+stepfamily
Relationship Expectations
Do you and your partner have the same vision of what a relationship should look like?
This vision would include:
How finances are handled.
A clear definition of monogamy... or not.
Somewhat of a timetable for kids... or not.
A basic division of labor for chores and such.
Ideas about drug, alcohol, or porn use.
What a healthy sexual relationship would be like.
Getting on the same page regarding expectations is so important, as is being able to discuss these topics productively.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Don't let your wounded inner child keep you from being the kind of parent and partner you want to be.
Such wounds, if left untreated, can negatively influence your perception and your emotional reactivity to those you love.
The psychological effect of childhood pain or trauma is in play even if you haven't thought of those experiences for years.
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