Surprising (little) things that improve your marriage
If trying to improve your marriage feels like pushing a boulder up a hill, maybe you're trying too hard. Louisa Kamps traverses the small moves a couple can make to get big results. More »Surprising (little) things that improve your marriage
How to reconnect with your spouse
Are you dealing with an unavailable partner? While distance can be a relationship red … More »How to reconnect with your spouse
Date ideas that won't break the bank
When spring is in the air, it often seems that is love too. It makes sense: During the … More »Date ideas that won't break the bank
9 Marriage Problems that Are Actually Good for Your Relationship
Sad woman
Every marriage has its uh-oh moments that leave you questioning your compatibility as a couple. While some behaviors, like cheating, are obvious deal-breakers, other seeming threats can actually have a positive impact on your relationship. Below, nine marital mannerisms that may seem ominous but truly can be good, according to experts. Plus, what to watch out for so things don't go too far. Photo by: Thinkstock
1. You both fantasize about other people. "Fantasies are an ancient aphrodisiac," says Iris Krasnow, author of The Secret Lives of Wives: Women Share What It Really Takes to Stay Married. "A vivid imagination allows you to open up to your partner physically and emotionally." So thinking about a sexy neighbor, for example, can improve your marriage-as long as those racy visions stay in your mind. That means leave it out of pillow talk; neither of you needs to know exactly who-or what-the other is thinking about. And don't let daydreams jeop
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The Love Shack: 7 Ways to Do Date Night Without Leaving Your Home
By Babble.com | Odyssey of Marriage | Thu, May 10, 2012 5:50 PM EDT | Comments
Dancing
When kids enter into a family, it makes life more fun, more purposeful and more beautiful. There is no doubt that it causes a strain on the relationship you have with your partner: the time gets split up, the ability to get up and go becomes hindered and energy levels can be zapped.
That is why it is important to work on your relationship as well - keep it alive, fun and loving. Let's face it, going out on a date with kids at home can sometimes feel impossible. You have to find a babysitter you trust and it can add up to quite a lot of money once you factor in the cost of the date and the babysitter. Most of us only have time for that once a month, but most of us need the time with our partner more often.
As parents, we are really great at thinking on our toes - it's something we need to be good at with all the strange things our kids like to throw at us. So, why not apply that to your relationship and think outside the box? You don't need to plan a date far in advance just to spend
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The Newlywed's Guide to a Happy Marriage
Newlyweds
Don't go from lovey dovey to angry birds: Here's your guide to a having a long, happy marriage right from the start.
What to watch for: When University of Oklahoma researchers studied newlyweds, they found that expressions of love and affection between a wife and husband drop by half in the first two years of marriage, and researchers find that most couples experience a significant drop in happiness about 18 months after the wedding. Perhaps that's the reason why national divorce statistics show that most marital splits occur in the first five years-and that couples married for about three years are especially vulnerable. This early, important stage can seem scary, marriage experts say, because we see our own shortcomings reflected in our spouses' actions now, just as we saw our own sterling qualities reflected in our partners before. Now: It's time to make love happen instead of waiting for it to happen to you.
1. Uncover your hidden marriage expectations. We all come into marriag
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10 Fun Ways to Spice Up Your Relationship
Spice Up Your Relationship
Thanks to the best-selling erotic novel "50 Shades of Grey," women around the country are doing more than just turning the book's pages - they're looking to turn the heat up in their bedrooms, as well. Whether you're taking inspiration from E.L. James's titillating trilogy or just feeling a little bit frisky, a lukewarm sex life can easily be a complaint of the past. With just a little bit of effort and an open, positive attitude, you can take your sex life to a whole new level.
Say Farewell to the Flat-Screen
It's time to take the television off the wall and out of your bedroom so you and your partner can be each other's primetime entertainment. Rather than zoning out to the latest reality show, de-stress with your spouse by offering him a massage or simply lighting a candle and trying to unwind in bed without outside distractions. You'll be surprised what of night focusing on each other can lead to.
2. Send a Not-So-Subtle Message Sending racy text messages (otherwise known as "
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11 ways to keep the spark alive
Finally, alone at last! Top experts offer their best tips for keeping your relationship hot and exciting long after the honeymoon!
One of the fabulous things about marrying your soul mate is experiencing a unique connection and level of familiarity. But when things are too comfortable in the bedroom, it can cause problems. "Before you're married, your sex life has little competition in your relationship," explains Debra Macleod, coauthor of Lube Jobs: A Woman's Guide to Great Maintenance Sex. "But after you're married, sex has to compete with conflicting schedules, money concerns, in-laws and eventually children. It takes a toll on your sex life, especially when compounded by the increase in sexual familiarity and the decrease in honeymoon hormones flowing through your veins!"
Though it's important to recognize that your love life will change over time, there's a lot you can do to maintain that spark. Here, tips for keeping things hot long past the honeymoon.
1. Reach Out
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