5 Factors to Consider Before Saying “I Do”

Deciding to get married is one of the most important decisions you will make. It is a major milestone in one’s life and should be taken very seriously. And while there is risk involved no matter how long you’ve known someone or how much you love someone, there are some questions you can ask yourself in order to determine if the odds are in your favor. Let’s face it—half of marriages end in divorce. Making powerful choices before you say “I do” will increase your chances of creating a marriage that thrives and lasts. Here are my five factors to consider before taking the plunge.

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When Baby Makes Three: Nurturing Your Marriage While Nurturing Your New Baby

Having a baby is one of life’s greatest moments. In one instant, your life becomes completely transformed—before your life consisted of work, play, and rest—now it is consumed with a new love, a new responsibility, a new meaning. There’s nothing more powerful and nothing more demanding. Most couples are thrilled with the birth of a new child. And, most couples are overwhelmed with how to juggle the demands of a new family member while still maintaining an intimate connection between each other. Research has shown that couples with children under the age of five experience the highest marital stress. Making the transition from two to three requires a major overhaul in how you manage responsibilities, time, energy, and support within your relationship. Here are five ways to help you move through this momentous transition.

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Dealing with relationship challenges when someone becomes ill?

It is inevitable. At one point in time your loved one will become ill. You will become ill. This could be a short-term illness, an injury that will take time to heal, a chronic illness that needs to be managed over a lifetime, or a life-threatening disease. When someone gets ill, your relationship is immediately challenged. Some of these challenges include... ... Long-term and life-threatening illnesses and injuries require a strategy for healing and well-being. Here are some guidelines and tips to consider as you make necessary adjustments to the new circumstances in your lives...

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Dealing with Life’s Transitions

Don’t forget to grieve the loss of what was when you celebrate major milestones and positive change. It is normal and necessary to feel the pangs of letting go while adjusting to your new circumstances.

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Creating A New Year's Relationship Resolution

I’ve had a New Year’s Eve ritual for many years. It started when my children were small and I found myself with a cupboard filled with crayons, markers, glitter glue, and construction paper. One year, I decided to engage my children in an activity. We drew our vision for the following year. We didn’t look back on what was—what we did or did not accomplish or experience the year prior. We simply imagined and created a vision for the following year—a vision that was represented in colors, shapes, abstract images, or real life drawings. We have enjoyed this tradition. I plan on creating my 2012 drawing again this New Year’s Eve. Our ritual is nothing out of the ordinary, but we like it nonetheless.

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