Last Minute Valentine’s Day Tips

February 14, 2012 By Meredith Hansen

Are you looking for some simple ways to add romance to your Valentine’s Day celebration?

Tonight is an opportunity to slow things down and get romantic with your partner.  Below are some tips for adding romance and passion to your Valentine’s Day celebration that won’t break the bank. Pick one or two items on the list and you’re guaranteed to have a memorable night!

Romance on a Budget:

- Light candles – Candles can completely change the atmosphere.  They can shift the mood in your home from bright and every day to sexy, luminous, and romantic.  Buy a pack of small tea lights from the drug store or dig up any candles you have around the house and put them everywhere, make your home glow tonight!

- Music – Music is an extremely powerful tool for setting a romantic mood.  Go through your iTunes library and make a playlist of all the romantic songs you and your honey enjoy.  Set the playlist to repeat, so you don’t have to worry about the music ending, enjoy a slow dance or two together and allow the music to take you away! [Read more...]

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Breakdown: Valentine’s Do’s and Don’ts

February 13, 2012 By Meredith Hansen

Looking to have a memorable Valentine’s Day tomorrow?

Read my Do’s and Don’ts for Couples and Singles…

SINGLE THIS YEAR?

  • Don’t sit home and feel sorry for yourself
  • Do call up some friends and plan a fun night together
  • Don’t call an ex because you’re feeling lonely
  • Do get out, mix and mingle, meet new people, and have fun
  • Don’t attribute your single status to being unlovable or not good enough
  • Do begin to identify exactly the type of relationship you would like to have (detail it out) [Read more...]
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How to ENJOY! Valentine’s Day

February 10, 2012 By Meredith Hansen

Do you feel the love in the air?

Or are you dreading February 14th?

Valentine’s Day is almost here and since this isn’t everyone’s favorite holiday, I want to give you some simple tips that will help you not only survive Valentine’s Day, but actually enjoy it!

The video below is filled with Valentine’s Day Do’s and Don’ts.  Whether you’re single or attached this year, it is possible to L*O*V*E this February 14th… [Read more...]

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Technology Guidelines for Your Marraige

February 3, 2012 By Meredith Hansen

Modern technology allows us to stay connected to our loved ones throughout the day.  Anywhere, anytime we now have the ability to communicate, share, and update instantly through devices and programs like smart phones, iPads, text messaging, email, instant messaging, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, Four Square, and so on.  No matter where we are in the world or what time it is, we can always find a way to make a call, email a picture, or share our thoughts.  We are visible, accessible, and easily located.

As wonderful as this can and should be in maintaining a strong connection with your partner, advances in technology have also contributed to a new series of relationship problems [Read more...]

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Are You in an Unhealthy Relationship?

January 20, 2012 By Meredith Hansen

Do you ever wonder if you’re in an unhealthy relationship?

This is a common concern that I address with many clients in my private practice.  Often successful, vibrant, interesting men and women report feeling unhappy in their relationship and worried that things have taken a turn for the worse.  They share that they don’t feel like themselves anymore, doubt their ability to make decisions, and report an ongoing feeling of anxiety (like walking on eggshells).

Unfortunately too many people in this situation ignore their feelings or are unaware of what these feelings mean.  Bright, competent individuals get caught up in the dynamics of their relationship and fail to see the toxic cycle they’re stuck in.  Hoping things will get better they cling to their partner, make excuses for bad behavior, and blame themselves for an argument gone bad.  Over time denial of personal needs and ongoing doubt leads to low self-confidence, poor judgment, over dependency on the [Read more...]

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Dating Do’s and Don’ts

January 3, 2012 By Meredith Hansen

The first impression you leave on a first date is important.  Some people just have a natural ability to just let their positive traits shine through, while others will do whatever it takes to get noticed.

After watching the women of The Bachelor meet “Bachelor Ben” last night, I thought it would be helpful to highlight some important first date Do’s and Don’ts.

Keep these Dating Do’s and Don’ts in mind the next time you’re on a first date:

- Do make eye contact, smile, and lean in towards him

- Don’t share all your dirty laundry the first time you meet him

- Do let your genuine personality shine through

- Don’t feel the need to write a poem, song, or quote him in order to catch his [Read more...]

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Ready for a Happier, Healthier Marriage in 2012?

December 30, 2011 By Meredith Hansen

Would you like to improve your relationship in 2012?

Read my Top 10 Relationship Tips below and resolve to improve your love life in the New Year!

1. Identify specifically what to change in your relationship.  For example, would you like to treat each other better everyday, decrease the fighting, feel more connected, share more with each other, travel together, communicate more, etc.  Knowing exactly what you would like to improve in your relationship will help you make those changes a reality in the New Year.

2. Communicate your needs.  Knowing what you want out of your relationship in the New Year is important, but you must also learn how to share these needs and wants with your partner.  Find time over the next few days to communicate your 2012 needs and identify steps the two of you can take to achieve these goals as a couple.

3. Praise your partner more often.  I know I say this all the time, but it is so, so important.  It’s extremely easy for us to focus on the things our partner doesn’t do or the things they do wrong, but this can [Read more...]

Filed Under: Communication, Marriage Success Secrets, Weekly Love Tip

Is Fighting Really Bad for My Marriage?

December 16, 2011 By Meredith Hansen

“We want to learn how to stop fighting,” Diana told me during her first session with her new husband Tim.  After just 8 months of marriage, Diana and Tim entered marriage counseling.  Although they loved each other very much, they had begun fighting more regularly and were feeling increasingly insecure and unsure about their relationship.  In other words, they worried that they had made a mistake marrying one another.

During their first session Diana and Tim shared details about their arguments.  They reported that most of the time they were unable to resolve conflict and ended up fighting for days.  Instead of hearing one another and working towards healing, they often fought until they were exhausted and both felt hurt, disappointed, [Read more...]

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Holiday Shopping Stress and Your Marriage

December 2, 2011 By Meredith Hansen

The holidays are in full swing! Thanksgiving has passed and now the focus shifts to holiday gifts, parties, travel, and more.

For most couples, the financial pressure that comes with holiday shopping often gets in the way of enjoying the season together. Arguing, fighting, and distance typically increase for couples who find themselves unprepared to manage these demands. Fortunately, relationship problems DO NOT have to be a part of your holiday season.

The video below will teach you how to work as a team with respect to your money over the next next four weeks, which will keep you [Read more...]

Filed Under: Communication, Newlywed Tips, Strong Marriage, Weekly Love Tip Tagged With: , ,

Marriage Tips for the Holiday Season

November 18, 2011 By Meredith Hansen

The holidays are quickly approaching and for many couples this can be a time of stress and overwhelm.  Although most couples hope to enjoy their holiday celebrations together, many couples instead end up arguing, frustrated, and at odds.  Family dynamics, travel issues, and financial burdens can lead to emotional overwhelm, and couples who do not learn to turn towards each other under the pressure can end up feeling hurt and isolated.

Below are 4 tips to help strengthen your relationship and stay connected this holiday season:

1. Talk about your plans and expectations in advance: Many couples skip this step.  They assume that they’re on the same page, believe that they have the same idea about how the day will play out, or don’t even realize that they have expectations for the day.  This is a big mistake.

It’s important that you and your partner learn [Read more...]

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