An article by Dr. Phillips includes many examples of where we may treat our dog (or other pet) better than our spouse. When coming home from a bad day we still greet the pet with warmth, but how do we treat our spouses? Pets may irritate us by soiling the floor, but we don't stay […]

Creating and maintaining holiday traditions are far more important to children than most parents realize. Family traditions provide enjoyment that extends far beyond the moment for those who participate; family traditions help define a family. Read more.

The study looking at 3,500 British couples after the birth of their first child, found that as husbands helped with household tasks, shopping, and childcare there was a lower incidence of divorce. These findings may trump previous theories that increases in divorce rates which began in the early 1960s were due to increases in the […]

A couple's expectations for what married life is supposed to be like play a big role in how well and happily they will adjust. Research shows that couples who are happily married disagree as much as those who divorce. The difference is that happily married couples are the ones who recognize that disagreeing about money, […]

Steven Stosny PhD suggests that it couples' don't have communication problems, but connection problems. People usually shut out their partners because they feel like their partner does not care about them or their feelings; they shut down in order to deaden the pain of disconnection. Before fighting, be aware that you must convey value to […]

A partner can communicate a problem with another in a healthy way using listening and response methods OR one can use unhealthy styles such as eye rolling or making insults. When partners use a disagreement as an opportunity to grow closer as a couple they learn that differences can actually help a marriage thrive. Read […]

In her blog, Tara Parker Pope introduces an idea to "pre-empt marital strife" as she describes some of the research now taking place in marital maintenance. She cites the work of Dr. James V. Cordova who is researching the benefits of annual marriage checkups. Preliminary findings show that these checkups can increase the quality of […]

Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson met, were engaged, and were married within a four month period in 1934, while Prince William and Kate Middleton dated for nine years before becoming engaged. Researchers suggest numerous reasons that couples are putting off marriage include education, finances, and wanting to work out problems before committing. Read more.

Marital counseling and relationship education can save a marriage from current as well as future problems. The military provides programs such as the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) workshop to help couples with their relationship skills and provide them with opportunities for insight as they live the unique and challenging life of a military […]

Husband and wife team Phillip and Carolyn Cowan, as well as other experts, describe some of the potential problems spouses may need to know about before having children to keep our marriages healthy and happy. If you already have children, it's not too late! A parent educator may help to bridge parenting gaps and enhance […]