Rekindling Romance in a Politically Correct Age
The princess longs for a good man who adores her, the knight for a lady worthy of such worship. Romance of this sort builds character and makes for better men and women.
Knowing What To Love
We can’t share with the other what we don’t know about ourselves. Genuine intimacy – the mutual sharing of our interior lives with the other – requires that we first have an intimate knowledge, and love, of ourselves.
Seven Years – But Who’s Counting?
Some time ago, we were chatting with a man in his late twenties. He had been living with his girlfriend for some years, and she was restless: she wanted a commitment to marriage and family. After seven years together, he was still uncertain.
Winging It as a Single Father: How Did I Get Here?
Becoming a single parent was not part of my long-term life plan, and I would venture to say that most single mothers and fathers would agree, but like I always say, “We all have a story.”
Talking to Your Child About Dating
Conversations about relationships, dating, and intimacy need to start early (probably around the age of eight years). These chats need to happen so we can educate our children about how to have healthy relationships.
It’s All About Me… Not!
Good social skills teach us to be other-focussed in our conversation and to be attentive to cues from the other about whether we are engaging their interest.
Dads, Don’t Forget to Keep Dating Your Bride
If there is one piece of non-negotiable advice I have for all fathers, it is to forget your children for enough time each week to date the woman who mothers them.
The Forever Conversation
At some point, every couple will have the Forever Conversation -- the discussion that explores their long-term commitment. It’s no secret to anyone that the incidence of cohabitation has increased. In fact, a couple who hasn’t cohabited is increasingly rare, even in the Catholic formation circles where we work. For couples in these semi-permanent living arrangements, the natural progression of a romantic relationship towards marriage is slowed. Without the inconvenience of ...
Two Types of Commitment
In his book The Power of Commitment, Scott Stanley (USA) provides some very useful insights into the nature of commitment. He identifies two types of relationship commitment: constraints and dedication. Constraint Commitment Constraint commitment refers to the ‘forces’ that resist the separation of a couple even when one or both partners would prefer to leave the relationship. Constraints tend to accumulate with the relationship and begin from very early on, before ...
What to Say if You Think Your Teen Daughter is Having Sex
Parenting expert Michelle Mitchell shares pointers on how to address the thorny topic of premarital sex with your teenaged daughter. Sexual intimacy is a wonderful gift but it can also be a source of great harm when misused. It is essential to provide guidance on this aspect of human relationships, particularly as your children experience puberty. Parent Question: My daughter is 15 and has recently fallen for a really lovely boy. ...
