Are you celebrating relationship codependence or Independence?
Relationships are complicated and, although they bring great joy, they also bring challenges. Often, there are things you don’t understand about yourself until you’re involved in an intimate relationship, and one of those things is codependence.
A partner or a project?
Trying to change your partner is a no-win situation that is constantly brought up in every argument. The idea that you can change your partner to think more like you or understand the world as you do is flawed; yet, most relationships struggle with it.
Pursuing dream while in relationship, 'in sync' from beginning
Hi Mary Jo, How do I keep my girlfriend secure and happy while I’m still touring and pursuing my dream? Thank you, Chris Hi Mary Jo, How do you allow for change in a relationship where you’ve been “in sync” since the beginning? How do we allow for different things to come along? Thanks, Rene a
4 things children need to hear from their fathers
One of the biggest losses is the loss of your dad. It doesn’t matter how old you are when it happens; you feel as though a part of you is gone. If you grew up with an absent dad or one who never cared, the grief can be worse. Knowing you’ll never hear what you always needed to hear leaves a void in your life that you constantly try to fill but never really can. If you’re a father celebrating...
Waiting for marriage, long-distance relationship
Hi Mary Jo, I’ve been with my kid’s dad for ten years. How do I get over the resentment for not being married yet? Thanks, Jacqueline
Change an important & necessary part of life
No matter what’s going on in your life right now, one thing is certain -- it’s going to change. Everything changes, whether you’re graduating, getting married, beginning a new job, or changing diapers with a new baby. Change is never easy, but it becomes easier when we prepare and accept it.
Raising children after infidelity, divorce
Dear Mary Jo, I want to know, can adults truly change? Thanks, Debra Dear Mary Jo, How do you get past infidelity and divorce, and raise two kids at the same time? Learning to trust all over again and date. Thanks, Rachel
Can your sex life survive the summer?
The summer may mean more relaxed schedules for kids, but for parents it means the kids are around 24/7. If you’re like many parents, you don’t wake up alone with your partner; you wake up with at least one kid in your bed. You may have been able to find quiet time with your partner while the kids were at school or a school-related activity, but this becomes more difficult in the summer when...
Failure the real key to success
In our picture-perfect social media world that features air-brushed faces and heavily-edited photographs, it’s difficult to believe any of the people you see or read about have ever felt like failures. Yet, Olympic athletes, scientists, celebrities, visionary geniuses and financial gurus all have one thing in common -- failure.
Spot burnout before vacuum of depression
Burnout isn’t specific to work; it can happen with relationships, family, and home life. No matter how much you love your job, kids, or partner, it’s important to know when you’ve had too much and need a break. Taking necessary “self-care” breaks are mandatory for being a good parent, partner, and employee.
Rush to commit, prom drama
Hi, Mary Jo, How do I deal with a woman who’s ready to commit too fast? Thank you, Rashad Hi Mary Jo, What advice should I give my niece who is worried that the first person who asks her to prom is not her first choice? Thanks, Erica
Aggression, body image in children
Hi Mary Jo, I have a smart and energetic 3-year-old son; however, he is having problems with aggression and focusing at school. Can you please give us some advice? Thank you, Rah Kimm Hi Mary Jo, How can I get my daughter to embrace how smart and pretty she is? Thank you, Coach Leah
Preparing the perfect proposal
If you’ve been trying to put the marriage idea in your partner’s ear, today is the day. March 20 has been named National Proposal Day. No matter who you are or what you think is romantic -- today is your day to pop the question.
Chronic pain, changing relationship with daughter
Hi Mary Jo, I live in chronic pain. How can I better relate to my loved ones who can’t see my pain, don’t want to see my pain, or really don’t care? Thanks, Scott Hi Mary Jo, My daughter is 10 years old and I can see our relationship changing. How do I know when I should stop treating her like a little girl? Thanks, Brenda
Raising responsible, considerate teens
Teen years are a difficult passage for parents and children. Teenagers are fighting for independence, dealing with peer pressure, and learning responsibility for homework assignments, relationships, and career plans. For parents, there’s additional worry and concern for their child’s safety. A recently released movie ("Before I Fall") addresses the teen years through a...
Four ways to 'detox' from negativity
Does it lately seem like the only news is bad news? Whether you’re reading posts on Facebook or Twitter, listening to the radio or watching television, it seems to be everywhere. Even a night out with friends has turned into talk about fake news, toxic people at work, or encounters with angry, upset strangers. You haven’t seen someone smile all day, and everyone’s news seems full of doom and...
Why couples fight about nothing
It’s well known that the three biggest problems for couples are communication, sex, and finances, but that’s not what the majority of couples fight about.
Keeping marriage fresh, finding space as a couple
Hi Mary Jo, I’ve been married for twenty plus years. How do I keep my marriage from growing stale? Thanks, Keisha Hi Mary Jo, How does a couple find space for themselves when they live in a very small, tight, and cramped home? Thank you, Kathy
How to make a dream happen
Everyone wishes they had what they wanted, but wishing doesn’t make dreams come true. Persistently working toward your dream each day is what success is made of. Below are suggestions to encourage you to making your dreams come true.
Moving forward into the New Year means letting go of the past
For many, this year is an especially daunting one to face. Perhaps you’re feeling drained or fearful of the year ahead. The past year was filled with politics, stress, distressful rhetoric and an uncanny sense of being separate as a country, community and family. You may be grieving the loss of a friends, family and people who brought you comfort in the year past and somehow letting go of...