Unfortunately, our culture constantly tells our children they need more and more.  And most of the time, that “more” has to come from us.  As parents, we like to make our children happy.  But recent research cited in the Wall Street Journal says our children would be much happier if we didn’t give them everything they wanted. So, here are a few ways to give your children less. Instead of just feeding your...

Here are 3 ways to help your marriage feel less stressed. First, help more with the kids.  If you’re the kind who constantly delegates parenting responsibilities to your spouse, step up your game…whether that means helping your son with his science project, washing your daughter’s uniform before soccer practice tomorrow, or attending a parent/teacher conference.  Second, be your spouse’s teammate in parenting....

Recently, a friend asked a small group of us that question. We all had unmarried adult children. She explained to us that if our any of our children were incapacitated and needed someone to make healthcare decisions on their behalf, and see their personal health information, a signed Designation of Health Care Surrogate was necessary. Without it, we did not have legal permission to make decisions or receive...

In his book, Uncommon Marriage, Tony Dungy writes “So many problems in marriage occur when spouses notice that the intense physical attraction is no longer there and assume that must mean that the love is gone.”  Coach Dungy goes on to share three ways to build a strong and lasting foundation in your marriage. First, don’t rely on feelings.  Love is a choice you must make every day. It’s not just something you’re...

For some, calling it quits means living in the same home, but giving up on any hope of a healthy marriage.  For others, calling it quits means separation or, even divorce.  Before traveling down one of those roads, I’d like to remind you of 3 vital things.  First, remember your vows.  The day you and your spouse got married, you promised “to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse...”...

The weather app on my phone gives me a forecast for the cities I travel to.  Recently, I began thinking how helpful it would be to have a marriage app…an app that would forecast what kind of weather to expect at home every day. Even though I haven’t invented such an app, I can share with you a daily checklist that will help avoid oncoming storms in your marriage.  First, check the forecast.  Look at the upcoming...

Make this Valentine’s Day count with your spouse by creating a fun, new memory together.  Here are 10 creative Valentine’s Day date ideas.  Number 1: Go for a canoe ride together.  Get away from the rest of the world and have an afternoon for just the two of you.  Number 2: Go on a scavenger hunt with your spouse…maybe it’s outdoors, maybe it’s at a mall.  Number 3: Recreate your first date, from the food you eat...