Want to listen to the podcast? Click here! When couples proudly say, “We never fight,” it can sound like a badge of honor. No tension, no drama, no conflict. But in reality, never fighting in a relationship isn’t always a good sign. In fact, avoiding conflict in marriage or long-term partnerships often leads to distance, resentment, and …
Why Saying “We Never Fight” Might Be Hurting Your Relationship Read More »
Listen to the Podcast. Click here. One of the most common things we hear from couples is:“We don’t feel connected like we used to.” If you’ve ever said—or thought—that, you’re not alone. Many couples find themselves working hard, raising kids, running between school drop-offs and soccer practices, and still coming up at the end of …
Why Date Night Alone Won’t Fix Disconnection in Your Relationship Read More »
Listen to the Podcast! Conflict is inevitable in any relationship, but for parents balancing the demands of work, home, and children, those conflicts can feel especially intense. At Couples Counseling for Parents, we talk often about the role of mindset in shaping how couples communicate, fight, and repair. Have you ever wondered: Are my communication …
How to Shift From a Negative Mindset in Your Relationship Read More »
If you’ve ever felt like you and your partner are speaking different languages—where one of you walks away frustrated and the other feels misunderstood—you’re not alone. At the heart of so many of these missed connections lies something most couples don’t even realize is at play: shame. It’s not fun to talk about, we know. But …
Shame and Communication: The Hidden Pattern Hurting Your Relationship Read More »
Feeling “the ick” in your relationship? You’re not alone. Learn what the ick really means for couples, why it happens (especially for parents), and practical steps to reconnect with your partner. For more listen to the podcast, click here. What Is the “Ick” in Relationships? If you’ve ever found yourself suddenly irritated, turned off, or …
When the “Ick” Shows Up in Your Relationship: What It Means and How to Handle It Read More »
Feeling like the default parent? Learn how to rebalance parenting roles, reduce resentment, and build teamwork in your relationship.
Episode 103 of Couples Counseling for Parents (click to listen) Parenting differences don’t always show up in the big ways we expect. Many couples agree on the major stuff: values, discipline style, opportunities they want for their kids. But even when you’re aligned on the big picture, small differences in the everyday moments—like whether your child can ride …
Your No and My Yes: How Small Parenting Differences Create Big Tensions Read More »
For more listen to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/couples-counseling-for-parents/id1598800142?i=1000721950026 If you’re a parent, you already know:Back-to-school season isn’t good or bad—it’s just a lot. The schedules.The gear.The “Mom, where are my shin guards?” five minutes before you have to leave. It’s exciting for some kids, disappointing for others, and activating for everyone. And for parents—well, it can quietly chip …
How to Stay Connected with Your Partner When Life Is Nuts Read More »
Navigating Emotional Triggers in Parenting and Relationships When you’re juggling kids, work, and life, it’s easy to feel like your partner is making things harder instead of helping. A forgotten item, a miscommunication, or a last-minute scramble can leave you feeling overwhelmed, alone, or even resentful. But here’s the truth: your partner isn’t the problem — …
Why Your Partner Feels Like the Problem — And What You Can Do About It Read More »
Living with ADHD—or loving someone who does—can bring unique challenges to a relationship. In Part 1 (listen here) of our ADHD series, we covered the basics: what ADHD is, how it can show up in relationships, and why it often goes undiagnosed until adulthood. Now in Part 2, we’re diving deeper into how ADHD specifically …
From Shame to Understanding: A 5-Step Guide to Talking About ADHD with Your Partner Read More »
In our two-part podcast series, we opened up a much-needed conversation about ADHD and how it shows up in relationships, especially during the parenting years. Whether you’re the partner with ADHD or the one feeling the ripple effects, there’s room for both partners to feel seen and supported. Listen to Prt 1-ADHD in Relationships: Navigating …
ADHD in Relationships: Navigating the Neurodivergent Disconnect Read More »
*Adapted from Couples Counseling for Parents The Podcast–Episode 96 Parenting on Purpose: Moving Beyond Parenting Differences Parenting differences are one of the most common sources of conflict between partners. You might be aligned on big-picture values like work, finances, or friendships, but when it comes to parenting styles, you find yourselves on opposite sides of …
Navigating Parenting Differences: From Conflict to Connection Read More »
Listen to the podcast episode: Could I Get a Little Validation Over Here? Have you ever found yourself caught in a frustrating back-and-forth with your partner, where every response feels like a competition of who’s had the harder day? You’re not alone. Many couples fall into a pattern of invalidating each other—often without even realizing …
Breaking the Cycle of Invalidation in Your Relationship Read More »
*Want to listen to the podcast episode? Click here Have you ever found yourself in a tense moment with your partner where one of you becomes more intense, while the other tries to calm things down? This dynamic is incredibly common, and it can be a source of major frustration in relationships—especially for parents who …
How You and Your Partner Handle Stress Differently—And Why It Matters Read More »
*adapted from podcast Episode 93 of Couples Counseling for Parents-Good Sex? An Interview with author Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons When parenting and partnership collide, one of the most common challenges couples face is maintaining intimacy. That’s why we were thrilled to sit down with Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons, sex expert, award-winning researcher, and author of …
The Practice of Good Sex: A Conversation with Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons Read More »
*this blog adapted from Couples Counseling for Parents The Podcast Episode 92: I need you to stop needing me Parenting can feel like an all-consuming, never-ending cycle of meeting needs (this is not to say that parenting is not wonderful and special). But when one partner feels like they are the default caretaker—not just for …
I Need You to Stop Needing Me: The Default Parent Dilemma Read More »
*Based on Couples Counseling for Parents Podcast Episode #91-6 Principles to Strengthen Your Parenting Partner Relationship. Parenting can be one of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences in life. As couples navigate the ups and downs of raising children, their relationship often faces new and unexpected stressors. The good news? It’s never too late to …
6 Principles That Will Save Your Parenting Partner Relationship Read More »
NOTE: This blog is based off of our podcast: Episode 90-The Death of Defensiveness-How to end the cycle of defensiveness in your couple relationship Listen to the full episode here or Watch the episode here! Defensiveness is one of the most common communication roadblocks in couple relationships. It turns everyday misunderstandings, miscommunication, and mistakes into …
The Death of Defensiveness: Ending the Defensive Cycle in your Relationship Read More »
This is a big decision and can easily overwhelm a couple even if they feel like they are on the same page. Whew! This is a big question for anyone and one that for many couples is quite a loaded question. As a couple with advanced degrees in counseling psychology and who work couple to …
“I do everything in the relationship and they don’t do anything.” It happens a lot when I meet with couples. One partner will say, “I do everything in the relationship and they don’t do anything.” This is a pretty broad statement. And honestly, the partner saying this really means it. What follows next is a …