While on a recent skiing trip, I had a casual dinner with casual friends, including a couple that had been married, divorced, and were now dating again. As is so often the case, on the surface, they looked great together, so it seemed natural that the conversation went in the direction of “why did you [...]

There’s a lot of attention on the economy right now and the difficult times we’re in – and many people are worrying and preoccupied with their finances and economic struggles.   This type of stress can take its toll on you and your relationships.   For you and your significant other, it’s more important than ever to [...]

My wife took me to see Nancy Meyers’ new movie, It’s Complicated, which stars Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin.  She had seen it a day or two before and wanted to see it with me saying, “It would be good for us.”  Honestly, I do tend to like what is typically labeled “chick [...]

In every marriage, spouses face an inevitable choice between their children and their spouse. It is a classic dilemma that confronts every couple and one that is inescapable and difficult. It is especially true in second marriages, like mine.  I have to admit, it is an ongoing issue in our home and one I’m trying [...]

I recently learned some statistics that surprised me, but upon reflection they really made sense.  What do you think the rate of divorce is between first, second, and third marriages?  Think about it.  I didn’t and came to the wrong conclusion. It’s pretty much agreed by most experts that first marriages end in divorce about [...]

I believe all clichés are generally true.  How else could something become a cliché in the first place?   Not surprisingly, then, all the clichés about second marriages are true.  Indeed, comedy careers have been built around jokes about a second set of in-laws, second husbands or wives, and blended families. For good reason: in-law jokes [...]

Last week while on vacation, I sat up one night with my two favorite daughters (I only have two!) and watched “Jon and Kate Plus Eight.” I have to confess that I was more interested in watching this since I knew that Jon and Kate were no longer together. I wondered how they were going [...]

Another marriage may have permanently ended last week when a husband and father of four boys recently flew down to Argentina for a five-day fling with a woman who was not his wife. If you follow the news, you know I’m referring to South Carolina’s governor, Mark Sanford. If that wasn’t enough, the event happened [...]

Have you ever been too busy to be married?  You’re busy with work, school, kids, hobbies, and all the other things, and it’s putting a serious strain on your marriage. What do you do? Is it permanent or just temporary? For many couples there are times when things become extra busy for a short period [...]

Reader JF left a comment on Could You Forgive Your Spouse for Cheating? My wife had an affair (mostly an emotional affair and some kissing, but no sex) and I feel that we are dealing with it well except for one thing. The man she had an affair with is one of her only friends [...]