Separation and Divorce: The First Seven Steps

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The decision to separate from your spouse is a difficult one. These 7 steps will help you to start moving forward.

We wait our entire lives to find "the one" - and at some point most of us find it. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work out. Many factors can contribute to the decision to separate and it is one of the most gut-wrenching decisions, especially when kids are involved.  Will they be okay? Am I being selfish? Have I tried hard enough? Will I regret this?  There are so many questions and, ultimately, only time will provide those answers. Once the choice has been made, one major question seems ... Continue Reading

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Fighting Fair: 5 Tips For Healthier Arguments

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Five ways to fight fair – no matter who you’re arguing with.

Disagreements are an unavoidable part of life. No matter how much we try, we just can't get along with everyone all the time. What we can do, however, is change our reactions and our approach to navigating these difficult moments. Naturally, how we fight with our spouse will differ from how we argue with a child, family member, co-worker or even a stranger. Regardless of the nature of your relationship, here are some suggestions for finding a silver lining in even the most uncomfortable of ... Continue Reading

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Coping With Being Motherless on Mother’s Day

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Honor your mother, even if she’s not still with you, this Mother’s Day.

It happens every year.  Flowers, candies, cards, pedicures and brunches, Mother's Day is supposed to be a day when the matriarch in a family is pampered, spoiled and recognized for everything that she does for us every day.  It's tough, therefore, for those of us who have lost a mother, are feuding with a mom or, maybe, never really had one to begin with. Rather than solemnly dreading spending the day alone, here are some suggestions for honoring the occasion in a less-than-traditional ... Continue Reading

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Empower Yourself Into a New Relationship

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Four ways to put yourself first in a healthy relationship.

Whether you are single, one half of a couple, or somewhere in the middle - you have probably felt, at some point, that your needs are not being met.  Maybe you feel like what you want takes a backseat, or that your voice isn’t being heard.  While it's true that your partner (if you are in a relationship) may be taking you for granted, it's also possible that you aren't making your requirements clear.  People treat us now we allow them to treat us. If you want to feel more valued, you may ... Continue Reading

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Break-Up Blues: 5 Steps to Moving On

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Five steps for transitioning out of a break-up.

There's a reason why there are so many songs and movies showcasing the end of a relationship - it's hard and we can all relate to the painful steps in the recovery process.  Even when you know a relationship isn't working out, it can be hard to accept that it's truly over. We've come up with five suggestions for making the transition a little easier. Stay Busy The worst thing you can do is sit around and dwell on all the things that went wrong.  Instead of laying in bed or vegging out on ... Continue Reading

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After the Divorce: Helping Kids Accept Stepparents

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Learn how to navigate the addition of a stepparent to the family.

Separating and going through a divorce is hard for everyone involved.  Letting go of the dreams we had for our families is heartbreaking and the transitional period that immediately follows is typically pretty rocky.  Fortunately most families are able to find some stability in their new lives and, eventually, parents start dating again.  This can be hard for several reasons, most notably because moms and dads worry their children will feel as if they are trying to replace the other parent. ... Continue Reading

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Relationship In Trouble? Maybe It’s You!

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Five ways to take ownership of your actions and change your relationships for the better.

Taylor Swift has made a name for herself writing songs about her relationships and breakups.  It's so expected that, as soon as her latest relationship fails, everyone jokes about what the new song is going to be.  While that can certainly be entertaining, people are now wondering if Taylor should onsider the possibility that she is the reason things never work out. Could the same be said about your life? It's natural - we all want to point the finger at someone else when things aren't ... Continue Reading

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Women and Dating: What We Can Learn From “The Bachelor”

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Take a look at some of the personality types that seem to emerge every season on the Bachelor. Are you one of them?

The Bachelor has been on the air for years now - and season after season we tune in hoping to see just as much drama as romance.  There seems to be a predictable pattern - the women break off into groups and, usually, there's one girl who acts so crazy she ends up being the target of the other contestants.  Invariably, the guy (in this case, Sean) can't see what everyone else can because the woman is good at hiding it (and he doesn't want to believe anything anyone tells him either). It's ... Continue Reading

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When It Hurts: Supporting a Suicidal Loved One

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When someone you love talks about suicide, it’s important to take note and get help.

Depression is real. Sufferers aren't weak, lazy, lying or lacking in intelligence. They are in a battle for their lives. It's not just about people who have fallen on bad times - we see young successful people, like Reddit and RSS co-developer, Adam Schwartz, committing suicide. The reasons for depression are numerous, and the severity varies, but one thing remains the same - suicidal behavior and/or dialogue should be taken seriously. Always. When someone has descended into a dark place, ... Continue Reading

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Relationship Limbo: 5 Signs That You Should End It

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Five signs that you and your significant other may be on the outs.

No one likes talking about this - but not every relationship is meant to last forever.  That doesn't mean we should throw in the towel at the first signs of trouble - but there are some red flags that could signify taking a closer look at your relationship. Here are five signs that you and your significant other may be on the outs. Fighting More Than Ever Every couple has their moments, and most of us know what it's like to have some really bad arguments, especially if something stressful ... Continue Reading

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