Explore effective strategies for solving relationship communication problems. Learn how couples navigate and overcome common issues with expert-backed insights and practical tips. by: The Gottman Institute’s Editorial Team Solving Relationship Communication Problems: How Couples Overcome Issues in Relationships We all know that feeling when communication in our relationship seems more like a battleground than a bonding experience. It can be tough, but you’re not alone. Many c

Discover 10 effective communication exercises designed for couples to strengthen relationships and marriages. These practical, expert-backed strategies help couples connect, understand, and communicate more effectively. by: The Gottman Institute’s Editorial Team Brief Overview Communication is the heartbeat of any relationship, yet is often elusive amidst life’s hustle. By recognizing barriers—like different communication styles and the impact of mental health—couples can beg

by   Courtney Rohrdanz  | iMom A few years ago, before my husband and I became parents, we were pretty awesome at keeping a regular date night. And we had good date ideas—our excursions tended to be big and bougie. We would try new and exciting restaurants around the city, take day trips to a nearby, off-the-beaten-path beach, or even sneak in a weekend getaway to a city we had yet to explore. As time passed and we added two young girls to our family, our monthly date nights

by: Mark Merrill As Mark Twain once said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” I agree. There is nothing like specific and detailed praise and validation to energize a marriage. After some research here at Family First, we found the 10 things husbands want to hear most from their wives. 1. “I love being your wife.” As simple as it sounds, husbands want to know that their wives are content in their marriage and truly enjoy just being with them. When is the last ti

by: Mark Merrill You don’t have to be a husband very long to know that your words matter. Words can build someone up or tear them down. My wife’s love language is words of affirmation. At best, I can use my words to encourage her. If I’m not careful, I can hurt her. Do you consider this when thinking of compliments for your wife? Over the years, I’ve learned through mistakes what to say, what not to say, and how to say it. Here are 5 compliments your wife wants to hear, other

by: Anna Brink | iMom “Oops, sorry. We can’t talk about the kids tonight.” This is what my husband and I kept saying roughly every five minutes while on our date. Why? Because we’d heard a marriage expert say to “keep the focus of date night on each other and do not talk about the kids.” By the end of the evening, we’d had fun, but I couldn’t help feeling like there were a lot of unresolved issues bothering me—things related to the kids that I wanted to talk about. So this le

by: Mark Merrill Elie Wiesel wrote, “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.” And divorce usually happens because one or both spouses became indifferent. They didn’t hate each other, but like all couples, they argued. And they didn’t resist the urge to see conflict as a sign of a terrible marriage. So they drifted into indifference. But indifference doesn’t have to describe your marriage. I’m not writing to tell you couples should never argue. I’m writing to say

My friend Tom likes to make resolutions. I think it’s because resolutions sound grand, and also because once he breaks one, he can quit...

Article published July 29, 2021 Don’t know where to start? Here are the books and programs to get your love on the right track Like any...

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Conflict looks like it is the biggest problem in relationships, but according to Dr. John Gottman, the amount of conflict in a...

Does this sound familiar? You think the conflict is about who is going to pick up your child after school. It’s going to be a simple...

When I was in college there was a girl I really didn’t like. Every time we were around each other we rubbed one another the wrong way. I...