Almost everyone can relate to having a toxic relationship in their lives.  Whether it’s with a family member, friend or even co-worker, these types of relationships can be draining and painful for everyone involved.
Dr. Phil posted a video on his YouTube channel giving advice on how to handle these situations.  His first tip was to make sure to treat everyone with respect.  Most importantly, he said that the issue needs to be brought out in the open and dealt with since it won’t go away on its own.
I agree with Dr. Phil this time.  Here’s the video:

Sometimes, a new daughter or son-in-law is welcomed into their new family with welcomed arms.  It’s an ideal outcome since marriage really is about combining two families to create a new one.  Unfortunately, things don’t always go as smoothly and it can be devastating for everyone involved.  I’ve even seen it lead to divorces and nasty custody battles. 
The Today show talked about the complex issue.  A whopping 60% of women feel that their in-laws cause them long-term unhappiness and stress.  As a married woman, I can totally understand that one!  It can really take a toll on a marriage.  …read more

This isn’t something I’ve ever really thought about but the Today show took a look at whether couples should hide money from each other.  As they mention, hiding money is different from having separate accounts instead of or along with a joint bank account.  They talked about one woman who managed to save $800,000 without her husband ever knowing!  Wow.
One of the experts revealed that he and his wife have separate accounts and he has a secret stash because he’s “better at saving money than she is.”  Wow.  He said that it has come in handy in emergency situations when …read more

I don’t know what it is but almost every mother or daughter I know has a story to tell about their relationship.  I have no idea what causes the strife but I do know from experience (both in a mother and daughter role) that it can be very complex and even painful.  Maybe society puts too much emphasis on the “Daddy’s Little Girl” image but something along the way causes an alienation between many mothers and daughters.  I’ve often heard that it’s at its worst when the girl is in her teen years and then it gets better when she …read more

Did your relationship suffer a beating in 2008 along with the economy?  If so, you’re not alone.  I’m sure this was tough year for many couples.  The Today show offered some tips for making 2009 a better year so that you can get the most out of your time with your special someone.  Here are the tips (along with my commentary):

Have more sex – I know this seems like a really obvious suggestion but this really is an area that gets neglected when you are stressed, anxious or tired (or all of the above!).  The experts suggest aiming for having …read more