Tag Archives: talk it over

Setting Bad Habits

Studies show parents who use TV as a baby minder and tool to keep young children occupied could be endangering their future health. Too often parents are busy and so sit even really little children in front of the TV or to watch a DVD. According to a recent study, doing this endangers their health not just as young children but sets up poor health habits and creates school adjustment problems. Children who are used to being in front of the TV have less capacity for classroom involvement, math and other subjects. A young male teacher I know has found … Continue reading →

Dealing With An Opinionated Spouse

Dealing with an opinionated spouse can present problems. No, I’m not married to one who is opinionated. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have an opinion on things, but those things he does hold strong opinions about are not usually a problem as we tend to share those opinions. But I know people who are married to an opiniated spouse and it’s interesting to see how they deal with it. Largely I’ve observed that the one who is married to an opinionated spouse does one of several things. Some become so quiet; they hardly open their mouth in mixed company or … Continue reading →

Strong Role Models

The other day I heard a man talking about other women and doing exactly what Mary Ann was talking about, commenting on their anatomy. His wife was present at the time. She looked embarrassed and I felt sorry for her, having to put up with a husband who does that. It’s something I’ve not encountered in my own marriage, for which I am very thankful. Mick’s never been one to flirt with or talk about other women. He doesn’t even notice when other women smile at him as happened the other day while we were shopping. He doesn’t look at … Continue reading →

Why Make Decisions Together?

Over the last couple of blogs we’ve looked at predetermining choices for spouses and family. I’m adamant making decisions together is a far better way to go in marriage. Why? Let me give you some reasons. It’s better for your marriage. Each person feels more involved in the choices made. It strengthens your marriage and you learn to take responsibility and learn from your mistakes together. Another reason is the responsibility doesn’t rest on one person. This can be come very stressful for the person responsible for always making the decisions. Of course it also means that if the decision … Continue reading →

What Does It Mean to Be Head of the Household? part 2

Yesterday I looked at what I believe it doesn’t mean to be head of the household and some of what it does. Here are further ideas on the subject. Beliefs, values, priorities, family ideas and spending in a marriage ought to be along similar lines, not just what one person decides. The person commenting on the original blog suggested that the husband was in charge of finances and the wife needed to justify all expenses to her husband. What about working out together what is needed and how finances are spent? As for the husband being free to spend as … Continue reading →

When Not to Have an Argument

So you have a frustration in your marriage that needs to be aired. You need to sit down and talk to your spouse. But there are times when you should definitely NOT start a deep and meaningful discussion or an argument. You need to try and pick a time that is convenient to your spouse, which means not when they are in the middle if doing something like watching their favorite TV show. It means not bombarding them, when they are just come home from work and are tired. Or when you have just come home from work and the … Continue reading →

Living with In-Laws?

Living with in-laws is a situation some married couples face. Sometimes it is early in the marriage until a couple gets on their feet financially. Other times it occurs when parents get older and need care. It is something a married couple needs to think seriously about before embarking on it. Mick and I have been in this position three times in our married life, and we have seen several others examples within family and close friends, so we know some of the positives and some of the pitfalls. Some things to consider if you are contemplating this decision: Do … Continue reading →

Can You Change a Flirt?

Can you change a flirt? No you can’t. But keep reading, there is still hope for the situation. If the one you are in love with is a flirt, don’t expect that once you’re married, you will be able to change him or her. It doesn’t work that way. Acting jealous won’t make them change. Giving them a taste of their own medicine is also not a good idea. It usually ends up creating even more problems. So does that mean there is nothing you can do? Basically yes. You can’t change them. The only solution is if they want … Continue reading →

Do Your Homework

Now you have a firm buyer for your house, you and your spouse can start the fun process of looking for a house or apartment. Hopefully in the meantime you’ve been keeping your eyes on prices in the area you plan to move to and noticing any fluctuations in prices. Even within a suburb or town there can be variations because one part of the suburb or town is seen as less desirable than the other. So investigate the area thoroughly by driving around it. Where houses are uncared for, it tells you something about the attitudes of people living … Continue reading →

Marriage in a Disposable Society?

Are we susceptible to the disposable society syndrome? Last week we went to look at the price of a new printer. The printer we were looking at was $99AU. The printer cartridge to go in it was $219AU! ‘That’s ludicrous,’ I said. ‘It’d be cheaper just to keep buying a new printer.’ Mick agreed, it’s a crazy system. It made me think we have become a disposable society. Sadly that attitude carries over into our marriages as well. It sometimes seems when couples strike a rough patch and things aren’t going well or the gloss has gone off the marriage … Continue reading →