Friday, July 04, 2008

THREE C'S OF MARRIAGE

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY

Today • Friday • July 4, 2008

 

By Dr Bill Maier

 

Let’s talk about the principles of a good marriage.

 

The first is Communication. All relationships need active and clear communication in order to survive, and this is especially true in marriage.

 

If something is bugging you, talk to your spouse about it. And ask them if anything you’ve done is bothering them.

 

It’s amazing what a little conversation can do to draw two people together.

 

The second is Compromise — and it works best when both sides have aired their differences.

 

Marriage is a series of give-and take negotiations, and all couples need to be willing to put the relationship above their own wants and wishes.

 

The third is Consideration. One father told his son: “Treat your wife with as much courtesy as you would a friend, and you’ll probably be fine.”

 

That’s a good rule of thumb for all of us.

Posted by PrfyVdlx at Friday, July 04, 2008 0 comments

Thursday, July 03, 2008

KEEPING YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY

Today • Thursday • July 3, 2008

 

By Dr Bill Maier

 

Making friends is one thing; keeping them is another.

 

We all need friends in our lives to keep us going, but we don’t always have time to stay close.

 

The best relationships are long-term ones and there are a few concrete things we can do to keep our friendships alive and strong. Set aside some time to meet friends, even if it’s just for 30 minutes over a cup of coffee.

 

When life gets busy, it’s easy to go for months without seeing those who are important to us and that can be solved by a simple call.

 

Keep a list of special birthdays and anniversaries and don’t forget to send a card or note. It’s amazing how much it means to people when they know you care enough to remember special dates.

 

If you’re pressed for time, try coordinating your to-do lists. Maybe you could shop together or meet friends at the gym a few times a week.

 

It’s a great way to stay in touch with those you seldom get to see.

 

We all need friends.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

LIVING LONG AND SMARTER

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY

Today • Wednesday • July 2, 2008

 

By Dr Bill Maier

 

Science may be able to help you live longer, but quality of life during those years is entirely up to you.

 

Thanks to medical advances, you and I may live well into our eighties or nineties – even longer. But how well will we be living? Extending life doesn’t do much good if we aren’t healthy enough to enjoy it.

 

So what’s the secret to staying healthy in our later years? Besides, of course, starting while we are young?

 

First, develop a diet that controls cholesterol. Foods rich in soy, fibre and protein have been shown to help lower cholesterol as effectively as most heart disease medications.

 

Second, get plenty of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables. Not only do they help fight heart disease, but they’ve been shown to keep memory fresh and agile.

 

Finally, strengthen your bones with milk and other calcium-rich products. It’s good for the heart, and also keeps the teeth and muscles strong.

TEACHING SOCIAL SKILLS

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY

Today • Tuesday • July 1, 2008

 

By Dr Bill Maier

 

‘Jimmy, please get your feet off the table. And Sally, don’t talk with your mouth full.’

 

Sound familiar?

 

How do you train your kids to be polite and obedient without badgering them?

 

The key to this is, using consequence and reward. Like all matters of discipline, social skills are taught by first making sure they understand the rules and then setting clear penalties if they break them.

 

And it doesn’t have to be harsh, just effective.

 

Dr James Dobson once came up with an idea to help his kids remember to put their napkins on their laps during meal times.

 

He and his children decided that anyone who forgot would have to leave the table for several minutes and stand in the hall.

 

During one dinner at a restaurant, Dr Dobson broke the rule and his kids caught him, so he had to take his punishment and stand in the foyer of the restaurant.

 

There are better ways to teach kids than through nagging. The key is to be creative and consistent.

Remarriage

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY

Today • Monday • June 30, 2008

 

By Dr bill Maier

 

If you think divorce is hard on adults, imagine how hard it must be on kids.

 

If you’re divorced and thinking about remarriage, there are a few things you should consider. Divorce can be devastating for kids and for their sake, remarriage should never be taken lightly.

 

A second marriage may be a gain for a parent, but it’s often another loss for a child. What almost all children really want is for their biological parents to reunite. That’s why they often build walls between them and their new step-parent.

 

They’ve already experienced a lot of pain, and they’re simply trying to shield against more disappointment.

 

The key is to go slowly, and let your kids heal before jumping into a new marriage.

 

Let them accept your new partner on their terms, not yours. And don’t force the relationship; let it develop naturally.

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