Families are Forever

 There are so many different ways to prepare for and practice a healthy marriage. However, none of these methods will be quite as effective if they are not coupled with communication. You and your spouse were raised very differently. You have different interests, hopes, passions, and ways of talking. Knowing this, you can't just magically "mesh" with your partner. Being able to communicate properly takes work and practice on both sides. Communicating an idea is a process that takes a few steps. Here is a diagram of how communication may work for you or others: When we want to communicate an idea, we will encode a message to someone in the way that we know best. After that message is put out there, the other person must decode it and figure out the meaning. It seems simple enough, but how often does the receiver misunderstand the sender? When communication is not done clearly and objectively, a lot can go wrong. Let's then take a look at some ways we can make sure that...

 There are thousands of troubles, trials, and hardships that can disrupt a family and cause a crisis. These disruptions can come through:     Drug addiction     Alcoholism     Death of a loved one     Sickness     Mental illness     Infidelity     Unemployment     Divorce     Teen pregnancy     House fire        The list could honestly go on and on. The unexpected or undesired changes that pop up in homes can be extremely difficult to deal with. However, some families cope with problems better than others. Why is this?      Before we can consider how to cope effectively though, we must consider what negative coping methods there are as well. There are many ways to react poorly to an undesirable situation, but here are a few of the common ways people do it.     1. Denial      Oftentimes, people will get into this mi...

 I never buy snacks and this is why. If I get chips or crackers or candy or any assortment of sweets, I will eat all of them faster than any other food in my cupboard. When I get them, they sit there, taunting. They're on my mind often and the temptation to eat them is very great. Occasionally, I'll feel "snackish" and I'll go open my cupboard. Sometimes I'll be strong and grab something healthy. Other times, I give in. What do you think is the best solution for someone like me who doesn't want to eat candy or junk food on a regular basis? There are many solutions, but perhaps the most effective one is not buying snacks altogether. I want to talk a little bit about how to keep fidelity in a relationship. Now, I must put the disclaimer out there that I have never been married, in an engagement, or even in an exclusive relationship. That being said, I have done much research and have made numerous of my own observations as well as listened to the observation...

According to the dictionary, a contract is “a written or spoken agreement, especially one concerning employment, sales, or tenancy that is intended to be enforceable by law.” By this definition, a contract for marriage almost seems too much like a business deal and not enough about love. However, sometimes, a type of contract is needed for a successful marriage. There are three types of contracts I would like to go over in terms of marriage: The first contract is called a prenuptial agreement. This is a legal document that is created prior to a wedding that protects and divvies out assets, determines how debts will be paid, and chooses which insurance coverage to have. It is a practical contract to have to protect both individuals in case of a divorce or even in the event of death. The second contract is very similar. It is called a postnuptial agreement. This contract, however, is created after the couple is married. It protects and divides assets in case of divorce or untimely ...

Picture this: The scene is set! Liz comes through the door, excited beyond anything to see her husband. He promised they would do something together tonight. It had been months since they had gotten married and life hadn't felt quite as exciting as she had pictured it would be before she had dawned the wedding dress. Liz sees Jacob sitting on the couch. Her excitement stretches, considering what he might have planned. He turns and notices her. He smiles. She notices that he is holding something in his hands... Is it flowers? Chocolate? Tickets to a game? It's... a remote. "I thought we were going to do something tonight?" Liz starts, uncertain. "We are," Jacob assures, "We used to watch Netflix all the time when we were dating. Were you expecting something else?" Now, this is the question. Why was she expecting something else? I want to touch a little bit more on the role of dating and how it prepares us for marriage as well as some of the conseque...

 When I was a senior in high school, I worked at a daycare. It was a wonderful place and I absolutely adored the children. We worked with kids from 3 months old to 5 years old. I felt like each day, I was just flooded with love for these little people and their creative minds. I had always had a hard time disciplining them though. I wanted to show them a surplus of love especially when they were having a hard time. One little girl had the most difficult time paying attention. She was sweet as a puppy and had a heart of gold, but she just got distracted so easily. Her teacher got frustrated and after a few warnings, sent her to time out. Imminently after, however, that same teacher turned to me.     She said, "Sylvie, don't you even think about comforting her. Don't hold her, rub her back, or console her. She needs to know that this is not okay!"     This teacher knew I had a soft spot. Throughout the school year, I would have urges to comfort children. If one gi...

When you look at a family, you can usually tell that there are certain roles that people play. Perhaps the sister is the peacemaker of the family or maybe the brother is a trouble maker. Dad could by the authority. Or maybe mom is the authority. Every family is unique and develops their own culture to fit whatever circumstances that they may be in. Different countries and religions promote different family cultures. All of this works together to create their roles. But can a family culture change? Let's take a look at a scenario: Let me introduce you to the Smith family. Dad goes to work. Mom stays home with the kids. Brother helps dad with the cars and the lawn. Sister helps mom with the cooking and cleaning. This most certainly is a stereotype, but let's look at it as a potential example. Mr.Smith was always very stern. He worked during the day at a firm, but made time to see his family in the evening. When his kids Jill and Jack wanted something, they always went to their mo...