Relationships: Relationship Building & Management

Make Every Networking Connection Count!

We simply never know in what way that impact will affect someone else!

I love this month's topic: The Best Networkers Offer Value! As networkers, daily, each of us has the ability to impact the people we meet , our friends and family members and the individuals in our organization. What is especially exciting about this? We simply never know in what way that impact will affect someone else! Maybe it will be something we say. Maybe the value will be in making an offer, a suggestion or providing a resource. Maybe it will be in mentioning an opportunity that will forever change the direction of another person's life.

Read Bonnie's entire article Make Every Networking Connection Count!

Bonnie Ross-Parker, our official Networking Expert

How to Handle Curfews for Teenagers

Mom watched out the window - she was worried and angry. Eighteen year old Jared was late coming home, again. Just last week Mom had talked to Jared about his curfew, and she thought they had an understanding...midnight on weekends. It was 12:30 am, and he still wasn't home. Parent, when Jared does come home, what would you say to him?

When 18 year old Jared arrives home, after the agreed-upon curfew, parents need to be awake, and ready to discuss his disobedience kindly but firmly.

Since Mom was confused about whether there was a solid understanding of curfew time, that's the first order of business. Mom could say, "Jared, what it your understanding of the time you should be home?"

Read Paula's entire article How to Handle Curfews for Teenagers

Paula Fellingham, our official Strengthening Women and Families Expert

Verbally Abusive Relationships -- 3 Keys to Dealing with Verbal Abuse in Marriage

Have you ever noticed how some couples believe that verbal abuse in marriage is acceptable? It's as though that foulness is his/her bad breath or messy bathroom habits.

Even though they don't like the way it feels, they make excuses for it, minimize it, rationalize it, and often just look the other way. But deep down inside, at the end of the day, they hate it. It hurts deeply, and they know it.

Yet they don't know how to stop it, nor do they know how to deal with it. Here are some important facts you will want to know about verbal abuse, so you weather its brunt more comfortably.

Read Dr. King's entire article Verbally Abusive Relationships -- 3 Keys to Dealing with Verbal Abuse in Marriage

Dr. Jeanne King, Ph.D., our official Abusive Relationships Expert

Infidelity Recovery - The Best Revenge for Recovering from Infidelity

Staying in shape and exercising is very important when your world has been rocked by infidelity!

When you find out that your partner has been unfaithful, it can take a real toll on your self esteem. Your life has been turned upside down. You feel vulnerable, unattractive, insecure and maybe even unworthy.

It's so easy to slip into a temporary depression. You just let yourself go. You get so wrapped up in your partner's behavior and your loss, that you forget to take care of yourself.

Don't let this happen! I know it's not easy to "give a damn" when your world is falling apart.

Been there, done that.

Read Stephany's entire article Infidelity Recovery - The Best Revenge for Recovering from Infidelity

Stephany Alexander, our official Dating & Romance Expert

Listen With Your Heart - 10 Tips For Couple Communication

Here are some ways to tell your partner the truth with love:

When you discuss issues with your partner, be genuine and be present. Don't let your mind wander. Maintain eye contact. If you are upset, empathize with how she or he feels. Use "soft eyes" to convey the idea that you're on their side. If either of you tends to change the subject rather then deal with it, create an agenda of issues to discuss as a reminder to stay on task. If you disagree with that your partner is saying, wait your turn. Don't interrupt. When it's your turn, instead of saying,"You're wrong," try, "I see things differently."

If your partner is not forthcoming about an issue, ask what's wrong in a way that doesn't invite a yes or no answer. Ask, for example, "What's troubling you?" rather than, "Is something troubling you?

Read Dr. Miles' entire article Listen With Your Heart - 10 Tips For Couple Communication

Dr. Linda Miles, our official Marriage & Family Therapist Expert

Amazing Baby Boomer Women

Do you know about one of the most amazing demographics alive today? They're the amazing Baby Boomer women -- born between 1945 and 1965. Currently, there are almost 50 million in America alone! Look at these incredible statistics:

One out of three Americans is now approaching midlife. According to the Wall Street Journal, every eight seconds someone in the United States turns fifty as the baby boom hits middle age.

More than 15 million women will have, or are already having, what they regard as a midlife crisis -- about equal to the entire populations of Colorado, Massachusetts, and Minnesota combined. (from Elaine Wethington, Expecting Stress: Americans and the ‘Midlife Crisis)

Read Paula's entire article Amazing Baby Boomer Women

Paula Fellingham, our official Strengthening Women and Families Expert

Spousal Emotional Abuse - How to Break the Cycle of Emotional Psychological Abuse

Emotional psychological abuse from your intimate partner is as clear as the day is long when on the receiving end. But for the bystanders, it's ambiguous.

Some people will even tell you that when you are the abused, on some level, you become a bystander. It is as though you take yourself out of the line of fire simply to survive the blows of spousal emotional abuse . . . and ultimately exist.

You hate being hated. Your tire of being told how inadequate you are, how you are lacking...deficient...defective. You grow to expect darts in your own home and recoil in anticipation.

Read Dr. King's entire article Spousal Emotional Abuse - How to Break the Cycle of Emotional Psychological Abuse

Dr. Jeanne King, Ph.D., our official Abusive Relationships Expert

On Your Own? That's Motivation!

You've left the corporate arena. You finally made the decision working for someone else no longer fits your style, your plan or your future. You've been punching the clock, working extended hours, compromising your family and friends and let your gym membership expire because there simply wasn't time to work out!

And you know what? You've traded job security for long hours, an uncertain future, a multitude of responsibilities and have allowed minimal time for family and friends.

So, what were you thinking?

Read Bonnie's entire article On Your Own? That's Motivation!

Bonnie Ross-Parker, our official Networking Expert