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30 resources
ARTArticleDid You Know That You Can Make A Man Desire You So Much That He Craves You?We women are very good at making ourselves desirable in the beginning of a relationship but really bad at keeping the attraction after the initial “oh-wow!” wears off and the man you’ve been dating for weeks or months starts to lose interest. How do you make sure that ...ARTArticleDIVORCING THE KID (S)DIVORCING THE KID (S)DIVORCING THE KID (S)
One of the most confusing areas of the divorce procedure is the parent who not only divorces the spouse but the children as well. When some men and women leave the marriage and get divorced, regardless who made the decision to quit the marriage, they ...ARTArticleDo We Really Mean For Better, For Worse?Too many couples quickly forget or never internalize the concept of for better, for worse. When their relationship becomes difficult, as all relationships do, they start to question whether it is working for them. Their lack of enjoyment in the relationship leads them to wonder if there might be something better out there for them.ARTArticleDoes Your Ex Want You Back Or Are You Being Used?Occasionally I get calls from men and women who want to know if their ex is using them and before I can even answer, they get into "He/she is really a good person, I really don't think he/she is using me... I guess he/she is looking deep down in his/her heart to find out what he/she really wants ...ARTArticleDoes Your Marriage Therapist Pass This Test?How do you assess whether your marriage therapy is just taking up time and money or genuinely helping you and your spouse? Most folks in marriage therapy are uncertain as to what to use as a measuring stick. Whether or not the therapist is “a nice person” is not sufficient. Would you take your car to a garage mechanic just because he is a “nice person?”
Here’s a simple assessment tool you’re welcome to use to help you figure out if your marriage therapy is giving you what you need to build a truly strong and loving partnership.ARTArticleDon’t Panic!There is always something in the news or on TV to scare us. Hysterical articles in the media sell papers, and attract eyeballs to websites, but are usually exaggerating the facts. If you listen without evaluating what you’re being told, it’s easy to become frightened. There's a reason why I don’t usually waste time and energy on panic and drama.ARTArticleDr Romance Video: 3 Tips to Living with Someone instead of MarriageTo watch the video, click here.
It's way too easy, in the throes of a new romance, to decide to live together without considering the problems that might arise. Dr. Romance gives you some things to think about before making the leap, to guarantee success.ARTArticleDr. Romance (with Alex Franzen) "Do. Not. React"DO. NOT. REACT.
Tips for surviving & mastering confrontation, with grace —in business & in love.
Pop quiz, people:
How do you drop an atom bomb of sudden, unexpected (and quite possibly, undesirable) information on someone you care about — without behaving like a cruel, dispassionate ogre?
AND! If you’re the unfortunate recipient of the aforementioned atom bomb, how do you respond with compassion — instead of setting off a furious chain reaction?ARTArticleDr. Romance Happiness Tip: Creating Connections: Draw Them InMany years ago an Edwin Markham poem inspired me, and I’ve tried to live by it:
"Outwitted"
He drew a circle that shut me out —
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in!ARTArticleDr. Romance Happiness Tip: The Magic of ReassuranceDr. Romance writes:ARTArticleDr. Romance on How Not to be Shy at a PartyIntroverts can enjoy the parties, too, if they respect who they are and don’t let negative fantasies take over. Limit your social engagements to those that are manageable or meaningful to you, and allow plenty of time for being by yourself or with a single friend, if that's what makes you happy. If you're not happy about missing out on all the parties, here are some strategies to help.ARTArticleDr. Romance Says: Lighten Up: Cures for Marital BoredomDr. Romance writes:
The old folk songs say it:
Oh, love is handsome, love is finer
Love is a jewel when it is new;
But when love's old, it waxes coldr
And fades away, like morning dew.
Folk wisdom says it: If newlyweds put a penny in a jar for every time they make love in the first year, and take one out for every time after that, the jar will never be empty.ARTArticleDr. Romance Video: 5 Tips to Move on Emotionally after Divorce(To view the video, go here: http://youtu.be/98RZAsK9c6c)
Going through a divorce is devastating. You not only lose the marriage and break up your family; you also lose all the hopes and dreams you had for happiness here. Dr. Romance helps you to pick yourself up from the rubble and move on emotionally.
Dr Romance's 5 tips to moving on emotionally after divorceARTArticleDr. Romance Video: 7 Things to Consider before Moving in Together or Making Financial Commitments(To view video, click here.)
Moving in together is a financial commitment, and so is marriage, so it’s important to consider the tough issues you’ll face as a cohabiting or married couple. Dr. Romance presents seven things you should consider before entwining yourselves financially as well as emotionally.ARTArticleDr. Romance Video: Creating a Blended Family When You Have a New Wife(View my YouTube video on this topic here: http://youtu.be/hB-SuKLvJlk.)
Dr. Romance's 4 tips to smoother step-parenting:
1. Give your blended family a chance to bond. Don’t worry if everyone doesn’t settle in right away; bonding takes time. Hopefully, you all got to know each other before you moved in together, but the transition to living comfortably together can take time.ARTArticleDr. Romance Video: Dr. Romance on How to Be a Loving Couple When You Have Kids(To view video, click here.)
Parenthood is an overwhelming job. Kids, especially babies, seem to need you there constantly. It's very easy for parents to get so into the role that they lose sight of the couple relationship they used to have. "Dr. Romance" shows you how to devote adequate time to your kids and still keep a special part in your relationship for each other.
Intimacy After BabyARTArticleDr. Romance Video: How to be Civil to an Ex-Husband[View the video here: http://youtu.be/1DM_RHzOBEk]
The divorce was ugly, he was a jerk, but you still need to have contact with him because of your kids or finances. You hate to have to deal with him, but you have to. What can you do to make it better for yourself and your kids? Tina B. Tessina, PhD, "Dr. Romance" licensed psychotherapist and author, gives you ways to ignore his loutishness and make the relationship work for you.
Dr. Romance’s 3 tips to dealing with a difficult ex:ARTArticleDr. Romance Video: How to Deal with an Annoying BoyfriendGuys, especially younger ones, are well known for having 'courting behavior' and then relaxing into their old, slobby selves once you're committed. It's not that men are from Mars, women from Venus - it's more like all of us have grown up on different planets. Couples can get caught up in arguing about who's right, rather than focusing on what will work.ARTArticleDr. Romance Video: How to Deal with Partying RoommatesDear Dr. Romance: [My roommates] are loud, they're drunk, they keep me up or wake me up at night. What can I do?
Dr. Romance Responds:ARTArticleDr. Romance Video: How to Propose MarriageIf video doesn't load, click hereARTArticleDr. Romance Video: Improving Relationships betwee
Parents and StepchildrenTo view video, click here.ARTArticleDr. Romance Video: Infidelity -- Stay or Go?If video doesn't load, click here.
Discovering your partner has been unfaithful is a shock. Your first instinct may be to run, but if you have a shared history, children and finances, you may wonder – should you stay or go?
Dr. Romance shows you how to decide.ARTArticleDr. Romance Video: On Having a New Baby When You Have Stepchildren(To view the video, go here: http://youtu.be/OlC24alx1Gs.)
You and your new spouse are over the moon about having a baby, but the children from your previous marriage are acting strange and upset or distant. What's wrong, and how do you fix it? Tina B. Tessina, PhD, "Dr. Romance" licensed psychotherapist and author, gives you steps to follow to make sure everyone gets onboard with the blessed event.
Dr. Romance’s 5 tips to parenting step children with a new baby:ARTArticleDr. Romance Video: Repairing a Dysfunctional Mother/Daughter Relationship(Watch the video here: http://youtu.be/1Fp55ZFayeU)
When you hit your teens you and your mom had a bad time, and you still are. Maybe she's not the mother you always wanted, but she's yours. How do you bury the hatchet and repair your connection? This will also be helpful for moms trying to repair relationships with daughters. You may never be best friends, but you can learn to appreciate each other and get along.ARTArticleDr. Romance Video: Resolving Mother & Sister Fights(To see the accompanying video, go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVCxndtpt0s)
Often, the same quirks, reactions and behaviors that create problems between you and the female members of your famiy wouldn't be a problem if they was someone else's family. If your best friend's mom or sister did the same thing, you'd probably let it go, gloss over it and focus on what you like about her. The same techniques will work with your own sisters and mom. Try pretending they're someone else's family and see if that puts things is perspective.ARTArticleDr. Romance: Don't Call Your Ex!Want to know how to handle being dumped? It's less about communication than you think!
DO put it in perspective If you're dumped, it hurts. But count your lucky stars. You don't have a relationship if the other person's not really interested.
DO understand that there were problems already It's never easy to find out that your relationship—whether long or short—is over. Once bonded, even if the relationship is terrible, both men and women have trouble breaking away. So if you're dumped, the other person really wanted out.ARTArticleDr. Romance: Resolve to Make Your Love Life Sparkle!Dr. Romance wishes all of you a happy, healthy and loving 2012!
We all are inspired to make resolutions in the new year, to celebrate new beginnings. Rather than resolving to exercise or diet, try:
Dr. Romance's Top 5 Resolutions to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great
Resolve to:ARTArticleDr. Romance: When Love is Kind: Mutuality in RelationshipsDr. Romance writes: Many people ask me, “How will I know if I'm in love?”
Answer: Anyone who's in love usually knows it; the real question should be are we mutually in love, or am I wasting my time? If you want to be secure in your primary relationship, knowing how to create mutuality and work together greatly increases the chance that you'll make it as a couple. When I’m counseling couples on the verge of divorce, it’s amazing how establishing mutuality allows the love to come back.
Mutuality Prevents Heartache
Hundreds of years ago, a Renaissance bard wrote:ARTArticleDr. Romance's Happiness Tip: Alone on Valentine's Day?Valentine's Day gets a lot of media attention, and it can be hard to avoid. When you don't have a special someone to spend it with, or worse yet, you've just lost a relationship, it can be brutal. If you're alone, it's important to take good care of yourself. Gather your best friends around you and make some special plans to have a wonderful day. Send valentines or personal notes to everyone who means a lot to you.ARTArticleEmotional Baggage is the “Stuff” hidden in the closets of your mindEmotional Baggage is the “Stuff” hidden in the closets of your mind
We all have some kind of “Stuff” cluttering our lives. It is so easy for the psychological “Stuff” to accumulate. It can come from childhood disasters, broken relationships, etc. We store this “Stuff” in closets, attics, ...