Begin Preparing for Your Daughter’s Wedding Today
This is an urgent message for every father:
So, when should you start preparing for your daughter’s wedding? I started the day I found out Susan was pregnant with each of our daughters. Now, before you think you already missed the opportunity because she’s already a teen or because your relationship with her is strained, think again.
4 Ways to be an Intentional Listener
I have to confess that after 27 years of marriage, with many lessons learned and advice shared about marriage and family leadership, I’m still learning right along with you. I’m still learning to listen after all these years.
But my listening skills are actually only part of the issue. I’m learning that how well I listen, and show that I’m listening, is directly tied to how well I understand Susan, which is a big need in her heart. Here’s my most recent example:
7 Benefits to Taking a Walk with your Spouse
Susan and I spend most of our waking hours with our children, family, and working to serve you through our Family First programs—All Pro Dad, iMOM and Family Minute. But we want to make sure that we make time together a top priority. We’ve found a good way to do that is by walking together at night with our dogs, Katie and Ella. Sometimes it’s one time a week, sometimes it’s more.
Spending time together is a critical component of a healthy marriage. But if date nights are hard to come by and if it’s tough to create leisure time in your busy schedules, try taking a walk with your spouse. It could be once a day or once a week. It could be morning or evening. Summer is a great time to make regular walks together a habit. The weather is usually more pleasant for walking this time of year. So give it a try!
#111: 6 Things That Keep Couples Connected (Podcast)
Every husband and wife want to feel connected with one another…but sometimes busyness, the daily grind, stress and strain can get in the way and cause a feeling of NOT being connected…and when that happens, “marriage drift” sometimes occurs and you drift farther and farther apart without even knowing it.
The key to staying connected is to be intentional. 6 things you can be intentional about…
If your marriage is good, these six things can help you grow closer. If your marriage is so-so or even worse, they could help you give it a push in the right direction towards bonding time with your spouse. It’s important to stay connected as a couple and Susan and have learned these 6 things in our 27 years of marriage…
How Personality Tests Can Enrich Your Marriage
A friend recently told me about a bumper sticker that declares, “Remember, you are unique—just like everyone else!” It humorously reminds me that though we may share many similarities, ultimately we are all different—and understanding that about ourselves and our spouses is crucial. Knowing your different personality types can definitely help enrich your marriage.
Some differences are fairly obvious. You may be outgoing while they may be more of an introvert. You may be a night owl, they might be a morning lark. But other differences can be a bit more subtle, so when they surface they tend to catch you by surprise and can be a source of conflict.
#110: 5 Bad Behaviors Your Kids Must Conquer (Podcast)
As parents, we always wonder if we’re doing this thing, called parenting, right…doing everything we should. And what do you do when your child starts exhibiting some bad habits and behaviors at a very young age? Lying, cheating, showing disrespect…
Dealing with those bad habits can take thought and energy that can wear parents out. However, if left unchecked, they can grow into major problems down the line. It is important to engage the problem now in order to save them and us from more intense pain in the future. Here are some bad kid behavior issues that you need to break early.
It’s important to break bad behaviors early so Susan and I will be discussing 5 bad behaviors your kids must conquer on today’s show:
5 Tips to Improve Conversations with Your Spouse
We are more connected in our social media saturated culture than ever before. The ability to talk with hundreds and thousands of people is easier than ever. Yet, ironically, the art of conversation is dying. We need a revolution in our homes to improve conversations, starting with our spouses.
For example, every day my newsfeed is filled with folks from all walks of life incapable of discussing ideas, politics, religion, or sports without breaking down into bumper sticker slogans and shouting matches.
Conversations between spouses can be similarly hard to maintain. Sometimes they break down into worn out, tired debates. Or we simply get overwhelmed and exhausted by life and don’t seem to have much left to discuss.
But we don’t have to let the art of conversation die in our marriage, nor should we. Here are five tips for better conversations that Susan and I have realized we need to work on, too:
#109: How to Overcome Loneliness in Marriage (Podcast)
Today’s topic is one that affects really every marriage if you’ve been married for any length of time. It’s about loneliness.
As humans, we are not meant to be isolated. We all crave deep and lasting connections with other people. But we know it’s possible to feel alone in the middle of a crowd, and it’s possible to sleep in the same bed with someone for years and still feel lonely. Many of us never expect to be lonely in marriage, hoping that our spouse will be the lifelong companion who saves us from loneliness.
6 D’s That Can Darken a Marriage
Sometimes the best way to enrich your marriage is to turn the lights down. You know what I mean; candlelight is so romantic. But there are times when we need to turn the lights up bright and chase away the shadows. That’s because ugly things can grow in the dark. Take it from me, living […]
