Blog
The journey to the wedding day may be a winding one. I’m happy to share some tips and tricks along the way. I continually offer ways to strengthen your relationship, and provide additional resources & tools. Scroll on down, and click on a post that interests you. The comments are always open, and I would love to know what you think!
Premarital Counseling: COMMUNICATION
Communication is the first thing we cover in premarital counseling. Why? Because if you cannot openly talk with your partner, it will be challenging to discuss any other issues and concerns or share any care and compliments.
GUEST POST: Marriage and Finances
Marriage usually means romance, not finances, right? Maybe not. After all, you already know your spouse-to-be has a million dollar smile, but will that charm extend to his or her finances and bills after marriage?
4 Premarital Counseling Topics
Getting married is not only a rite of passage, but a truly exciting time in your relationship. You’re on a journey with the love of your life, let’s get you prepared for it! Of course there are situations or events that can only be handled when they happen. However, there are discussions you can have NOW to better prepare you for the future. Premarital counseling builds a really strong foundation to build your marriage.
5 Reasons to do Premarital Counseling
The reasons couples come to me for premarital counseling are as diverse as the couples themselves. It pleases me to report that most couples do not reach out because they have major problems, although though some do. More often than not, they want to strengthen the relationship they already have, as they plan for the future.
Here are the top reasons that couples like YOU may benefit from premarital counseling!
Appreciation and the 5 Love Languages
Just as all of us were starting to shelter-at-home, Amy Shack Egan of Modern Rebel asked me to join her on Instagram Live to talk 'emotional wellness' in our current crisis. Amy posed 5 questions, but with limited time together, I was only able to offer limited responses. Two weeks ago, I wrote about Respecting Boundaries. Today, I answer the question, "What are small ways to show appreciation for your partner during this time?" However, when I think appreciation, I first think of Gary Chapman's 5 Love Languages.
Respecting Boundaries in our Current Crisis (part 1)
On Friday, I got an email from one of my PM Counseling couples with their agenda for the next session. I usually see "Family Relationships" or "Finances," but what I got was "Respecting boundaries during isolation." So when wedding planner, Amy Shack Egan from Modern Rebel asked me to join her on Instagram LiveStream to talk about couple's wellness and her first question was "For couples working from home - what are small ways to draw boundaries + be intentional about alone time?" I was totally ready!
Celebration Thursday 1.30.20 - What's Needed?
On my counseling in-take form, I ask my couples how they prefer their partner reacts when they're scared or hurting. It's usually an easy question for each individual to answer and it clarifies WHAT'S NEEDED in THE MOMENT. The bigger question is however, is their partner ACTUALLY doing it.
Strengthening Relationships: SIBLINGS
At the end of April, I had the opportunity to do something new: a sibling counseling workshop. The groom from a past counseling couple reached out and told me that he and his sisters were starting an annual sibling retreat weekend. Their mother suggested they not only spend quality time together, but also meet with a counselor to help them strengthen their relationships. How cool is that?
A Little Bit EACH day
In an effort to keep my small apartment clean, I constantly read articles with tips that always suggest doing a little bit every day. Taking care of incoming mail as you enter your home so it doesn't clutter, sweeping and mopping on a certain day each week and cleaning all dishes in the kitchen sink before you go to sleep. But why not think the same way with our relationships?
Why Isn't My Partner a Mindreader?
We live in a fast-paced world and our smart phones are always on and always close by. We can retrieve information lightening fast. That may be good for getting news or answers quickly, but deeper communication with those close to us has suffered. We are starting to lose our sense of intuition because we just don't have time.
You've Got Mail
While we could just throw our thoughts into the ring on these questions, I think we can take a moment to reflect on communication in general. As some of you know, I coach pre-marital couples on the 7 reasons why people get divorced. Communication is way up there on that list. It’s not easy to be clear and direct in communicating with others. And it’s sometimes more difficult with those that we love.