by Michael | Nov 15, 2024 | Relationship skills
“I want a partner to take care of me,” Brenda said on one of our group calls. “If I’m feeling bad, they should cheer me up. Or when I get overwhelmed by too much to do, they should step in and take some of the load off me. And if choose to work – fine – but I...
by Michael | Dec 12, 2023 | Relationship skills
Carlos felt lonely and longed for more time and connection with his wife. He tried to get her to pay more attention to him, but it sounded to her like criticism, which just made their relationship worse. In fact, she withdrew further, leaving Carlos feeling even more...
by Michael | Sep 15, 2022 | Relationship skills
Robert asked the question on the first night of our group: Is there such a thing as mutual abuse? He acknowledged that he’d acted badly—even abusively—at times in his marriage. In reviewing the definitions of abuse, however, he believed he’d also been the recipient of...
by Michael | Nov 15, 2020 | Relationship skills
I regularly hear questions like “What do I do when my partner is being difficult?” or “How do I make my spouse stop doing that?” Usually, they’re just looking to make their life easier—but if only it were that simple! The real answer to these questions lies in...
by Michael | Jul 10, 2020 | Relationship skills
A few days ago, I was getting ready to start my work when my wife asked me to change a flat tire on her bike. “Great,” I thought – “I have loads to do today, and now I have to spend 20 minutes wrestling this bike and getting covered in oil.” After giving in, I...
by Michael | Jan 25, 2020 | Relationship skills
In one of our group sessions, we were discussing taking a time-out during conflict. One participant said she heard this anger management technique is controversial. According to an article she read, time-outs were ineffective, could make matters worse, or be used as...
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