We were contacted this week by a reader asking about the difference between an argument and a disagreement because the distinction was causing confusion between her, her husband and their adult daughter. These words mean different things to different people, …

How To Avoid a Disagreement Becoming an Argument Read more »

Our partners and intimates are not mind readers, yet too often we act as though they are. We are taught in society to be polite, not hurt other’s feelings, be careful what we say and how we say it. In …

It’s Important to Share Your True Feelings in Your Relationship Read more »

MAUDE: Last week we wrote about how important it is to check in regularly with each other. On one of our recent check-ins, I shared with Phil that I was becoming deeply distressed about an area of importance to me …

How to Have Challenging Conversations With Your Partner Read more »

We keep cut flowers in the house and carry them up to decorate the bedroom at night. A morning conversation: “We need to bring the flowers down.” “I’ve done it already.” This is a teeny example of how we work …

In a Successful Relationship You Have to Be Cooperative Read more »

There’s more to active listening than usually gets discussed. We bumped up against this recently, while working on a Secret Project. We were talking, and both of us felt interrupted by the other. We’ve occasionally had this experience of being …

You Need to Balance Talking and Listening Read more »

Both life and relationships need a balance between planning and going with the flow. This is an important part of our lives and the lives of our relationships. Yet how do we do both at the same time? People differ …

How to Balance Structure and Flow in Your Relationship Read more »