Struggling couples often arrive at my office caught up in a cycle of defensiveness, criticism, shame, hurt, and anger. After some information gathering, I might ask the couple who they know with a marriage they want to emulate. Too many (way too many) say they have never seen a good marriage. They name couples they...

Honor

February 27, 2016

0 comment

My Teen Hates Me!

by John Salmon

Do you ever get the feeling your teen hates you…that they don’t want you around? You know the scenario: teens don’t smile or interact at home but as soon as they see friends they perk up, smile, and interact with great energy. Or, teens, embarrassed by their parent’s simple remark, roll their eyes and say,...

-Read More-

Family Shepherds

adolescence connection emotional health parent child relationship parenting teen

December 12, 2015

0 comment

Christmas–You Don’t Want to Miss This!

by John Salmon

The Christmas Season is a wonderful family celebration. We fill our time with traditions and rituals that draw our families together and remind us of the true meaning of the season. Those traditions and rituals create an emotional bond we can cherish throughout our lives with our spouses and children. This holiday season seems to...

-Read More-

Celebration Family Shepherds

christmas connection family intimacy fun laugh play traditions

November 2, 2015

0 comment

Don’t “Phub-up” Your Marriage

by John Salmon

A study out of Baylor University suggests that married couples can damage their marriage and romance by “phubbing” their partner. Specifically, a survey of 145 people found that “phubbing” your partner creates conflict and leads to lower marital satisfaction. So, quit “phubbing” your spouse! If you’re like me, you have no idea whether you phub...

-Read More-

Honor

conflict connection husband intimacy marriage sexual intimacy spouse wife

May 30, 2015

A Triangle of Love

by John Salmon

I invite you to participate in a love triangle…Oh wait. That sounds bad. Step back. Take a breath. It’s not what it sounds like. I’m talking about Robert Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Love. Let me rephrase. I invite you to experience all three components of Sternberg’s theory of love with your spouse…and only your spouse!...

-Read More-

Celebration Honor

commitment connection intimacy love marriage

April 20, 2015

“Steak” Your Claim on Family Dinner

by John Salmon

Have you seen the advertisement for the “Delmio Pepper Hacker”? I want to purchase one. Watch the 2-minute video advertisement and see if you might like one for your family as well. You know, you can reclaim dinner time without the Delmio Pepper Hacker. You can establish dinner time as a tech-free time—no technology at...

-Read More-

Celebration Honor

connection family intimacy family meals family relationships technology

March 14, 2015

Four Ways to Fill Your Family with Meaning

by John Salmon

Feel happiness. Experience less stress, less anxiety, and less depression. Discover more control in your life. Sound good? Research suggests you can experience these things by adding meaning to your life. When we become part of something bigger than ourselves we find meaning…and meaning contributes to greater happiness. Specifically, adding meaning to our lives, becoming...

-Read More-

Celebration

comfort connection family intimacy fun happiness intimacy kindness value

October 13, 2014

Family Fun Night is for the Birds

by John Salmon

Some people believe “this Family Fun Night stuff” is for the birds. Well…I agree. It’s a great idea. Head out to your local aviary and share a Family Fun Night with the birds. Now I know this may sound like a bird-brained idea, but you only need to check out your local aviary to see how...

-Read More-

Celebration

children connection family fun night fun intimacy laugh play security time

October 11, 2014

A Baker’s Dozen to Show Grace in Troubled Relationships

by John Salmon

John Gottman believes “91% of the time the ground is ripe for miscommunications” in a marriage. I don’t know about the percentage, but I know conflict and misunderstandings arise in every family. It is inevitable. But, have you notice that family conflict can go from bad to worse in no time? Grace gets thrown out the...

-Read More-

Grace

admiration conflict connection curiosity disagreement family relationships intimacy kindness responsibility understanding value

October 6, 2014

Hike to a Family Fun Night

by John Salmon

Well, this Family Fun Night is not literally a family fun “night.” It is more of a Family Fun Experience or Family Fun Event. Either way, it’s still a great family fun time…and all it involves is a little hike. Family hikes are fun and free—they cost nothing! On a hike, you and your family...

-Read More-

Celebration

connection family fun night family relationships fun identity intimacy play traditions valued

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Healthy Family? Never Saw One

My Teen Hates Me!

Christmas–You Don’t Want to Miss This!

Don’t “Phub-up” Your Marriage

A Triangle of Love

“Steak” Your Claim on Family Dinner

Four Ways to Fill Your Family with Meaning

Family Fun Night is for the Birds

A Baker’s Dozen to Show Grace in Troubled Relationships

Hike to a Family Fun Night