Dave Shields is The Official SelfGrowth.com Guide to "Relationship Advice". You can find complete information on Dave Shields and his products by visiting Kenosis Center.
The relationship between two romantically linked partners or life partners shouldn’t be taken for granted. And often this is exactly what happens because two people have been together for a long period. Almost all relationships begin this way when two people can’t keep their hands off of each ... Views: 685
It can be very hurtful and frustrating when your spouse constantly complains about a certain level of unhappiness despite improvements that you've tried to make. You might think that you've addressed his concerns, only to turn around and find that he is sullen and unhappy again. It can begin ... Views: 593
Good Sense About Getting Along with Others During Troubled Times
by
Bill Cottringer
“The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.” ~Theodore Roosevelt.
Despite the physical 6-foot rule of social distancing keeping us apart, ... Views: 784
I sometimes hear from wives who feel as if they've become more of an individual than a couple. They feel like their relationship with their husband has become somewhat distant and, unfortunately, this was not their choice. There can be a loss of connection and that can invoke a feeling of deep ... Views: 937
Often, there's a period of time in your marriage where you know that a separation could be just around the corner. During this time period, you and your husband can kind of circle one another. Both parties can feel that one of them is going to make the move to leave. The question is WHO it is ... Views: 481
Believe it or not, I get this question quite a bit. It usually comes from wives who feel that a divorce or separation is imminent and they do not know how they are going to survive without living together and/or being married. These wives are looking for something to stop the bleeding so to ... Views: 590
I often get emails from wives who ask me to suggest ways to get their husband's love back in their marriage. Usually, with a bit of prompting, I can get them to tell me that they really fear their husbands are no longer "in love" with them. This is usually just a feeling or suspicion that they ... Views: 501
Man cannot live without entertainment. It's a way to have fun at your leisure. Entertainment can be passive, such as watching a movie or opera, or being active, such as recreation or sports. Games are an active form of entertainment that provides relaxation and fun. With the advent of computer ... Views: 383
Man cannot live without entertainment. It's a way to have fun at your leisure. Entertainment can be passive, such as watching a movie or opera, or being active, such as recreation or sports. Games are an active form of entertainment that provides relaxation and fun. With the advent of computer ... Views: 408
I recently heard from a wife who told me that she and her husband were living much differently than they did when they were first married. She said they used to always be together, laughing, loving, and experiencing things together. But now, they saw each other over the breakfast table without ... Views: 685
I often write articles about saving marriages. Perhaps it's because wives research this topic more than men, or perhaps it's because women are more proactive in their marriages, but I'm most often contacted by wives (and a few husbands too) who tell me something like: "Our relationship is in ... Views: 586
No one wants to look for trouble in their marriage where none exists. I've seen perfectly good marriages struggle greatly because one spouse decided to over-analyze and complain about even the smallest, most benign issues. So it can be very important to separate the big issues from the little ... Views: 631
If you were to ask a separated wife who was living without her husband if she wanted him back even if he didn't 100% want to be there, many separated wives would say that yes, she would want him back however she could get him. However, if you are a wife who knows that your husband doesn't want ... Views: 645
As women, we are often naturally affectionate. It is often not any effort for us to touch someone's arm, offer a hug, or tell those who we love just how great we think they are. In fact, many of us feel that this is at least one reason why we were put on this earth - to enhance the lives of ... Views: 590
The vast majority of people that I hear from do not feel understood or heard by their spouse. I find that many folks do not comprehend just how serious of a problem this might be. Sure, no one is perfect at communicating or at reading someone else's clues. And sure, all marriages can ... Views: 538
Many husbands who initiate a separation are fairly confident about their wives' level of commitment during it. After all, it is the husband who wanted to separate in the first place. Since many wives don't want any marital break, we often assume that the wife will cling to her marriage for dear ... Views: 627
I rarely get correspondence from wives telling me that their husband is too sweet, too sensitive, or too concerned about their feelings. Sure, I get the occasional complaint that a husband is too involved in the wife's life, but this is rare.
More often, I hear from wives who complain that ... Views: 625
When you're married but separated, it's very common to constantly evaluate what is going on with your spouse. You want to know what he's thinking, how he's feeling, and what all of this might mean in terms of what he wants moving forward. This can be especially true if you want to save your ... Views: 492
I sometimes hear from people who are looking for the perfect words to say in order to finally get through to the spouse who wants a divorce. Often, they know that this conversation is going to be a last-ditch effort, especially since they have had trouble getting through to their spouse in the ... Views: 528
Most of the wives who write to or reach out to me are trying very hard to get their separated husband to come home. Many fantasize about this for some time. So when it finally happens and their husband indicates that he would be open to a reconciliation, you would think that they would be ... Views: 547
In some matters, it feels as if it almost pays to be naive or in the dark - at least where your marriage is concerned. Because some knowledge can never be unlearned once you learn it. And when it is something that is very hurtful - like your spouse being unhappy or considering a separation or ... Views: 598
I sometimes get emails from wives whose husbands are dealing with some form of depression. The descriptions given run the gauntlet from clinical depression to a chemical imbalance, to bipolar disorder, to manic depressive disorder. And, in today's very tough economic environment, folks are ... Views: 625
Indecision is extremely frustrating and will lead to anxiety, loss, and confusion. At this juncture, you can’t remain in place without losing your way altogether. Avoid the tendency to let others choose for you, which is a way to subtly refuse to take responsibility for your choices. By not ... Views: 1017
I write about saving and rescuing marriages. As a result, I sometimes receive emails from folks wanting to know why their marriages are ending and what they can do to stop, delay, or bypass this process. Often, when I ask why the marriage is in trouble, I get a range of about five different ... Views: 569
The majority of wives who visit this blog desperately want to save their marriages but feel that they are the only ones who want to. So often, I get emails that go something like: "Help! I want to save my marriage, but my husband doesn't. How can I prevent a divorce when I'm the only one who ... Views: 555
The other day, I got an email from a wife who was filled with regret. To make a very long story short, she and her husband had been having problems for quite some time. They still loved each other, she thought, but the relationship had evolved into something that neither of them recognized any ... Views: 2140
Here's fair disclosure right upfront. I am a big proponent of saving marriages and preventing divorce. I know first hand that even problem marriages which seem to be at the end can be saved. Still, I am often contacted by people who ask me "how do I know it is really the end of my marriage?" ... Views: 495
The other day, I received an email from a very upset wife who told me that her husband had sat her down, indicated that he'd been thinking long and hard about their marriage, and had decided that she "deserved better so he wanted a divorce." Needless to say, she's very confused by this. She ... Views: 511
I often write about saving marriages. Or, if a separation or divorce has happened, I sometimes try to help the wife to get her husband back (so long as the relationship was a healthy one worth saving.) Often times, I'm contacted by wives who want to know the "signs that my husband wants me ... Views: 587
If you've found this article and are looking for ways and tactics to get your husband back, I want you to understand one thing right up front: a separation does not necessarily mean a divorce. I say this because I see so many wives bracing themselves to throw in the towel when in fact this is ... Views: 482
Probably one of the most common requests or emails that I get is a request for advice when a husband "wants out" of the marriage. Now, these emails run the gauntlet. Sometimes, the husband hasn't really said anything, but has hinted around, or is acting in such a way that the wife has a pretty ... Views: 482
I often write about saving marriages. Yet, I get a lot of emails from wives who are afraid that their husband's lack of affection and verbal and non-verbal reassurance is a sign that their husband has "fallen out of love" with them, has checked out of the marriage, or that severe marital ... Views: 574
Sometimes, I hear from women who are deeply conflicted about their troubled marriage. At this time, their greatest wish is to convince their husband to try to make their marriage work. Usually, it's become crystal clear that the marriage is crumbling. And, because the wife is still invested in ... Views: 662
A couple of days ago, I received an email from a wife who had been married for well over a decade. She shared with me that, over the last couple of years, she has felt her husband slipping away. She told me that her husband " spends less time at home, doesn't show me nearly as much affection, ... Views: 551
I often write about how I was able to save my own marriage when it was on its last legs, so I am sometimes approached my wives in a similar situation. Recently, I've been asked for advice or tips on topics like "how can I get my husband to love me again," or "my husband detaches from me," or "my ... Views: 577
Since I often write about saving marriages, regaining the love and spark in your marriage, and restoring intimacy and closeness, I'm often asked what is the best way to react or proceed when you know that you husband wants to leave. The answer to this will greatly depend upon the situation, but ... Views: 542
If you're thinking about this phrase or asking the questions that stem from it, then it's probably safe to say the state of your marriage isn't as strong or as stable as you would like it to be. I don't know the specifics of your situation, or whether your spouse is just not as happy as he could ... Views: 516
When I was trying to save my marriage a couple of years ago, I read everything I could get my hands on that would help me prevent a divorce. I blindly followed most of this advice and found it to be flawed, not only because it didn't work, but because it sets the couple on a frustrating path ... Views: 511
I recently heard from a wife who just wasn't sure what to do. Her husband had left her and the home the week before and now was not accepting her calls, texts, or emails. Anytime that she did get him on the phone, placed herself in front of him, and had his attention for long enough to get a ... Views: 597
If you're researching this question, I'm assuming that your marriage is not on firm ground or is in trouble. I don't know if you're contemplating divorce, already taking a break from the relationship, or just wanting to improve upon what you already have. No matter which situation you're in, ... Views: 522
I can empathize with many of the emails from visitors who ask for advice on how to proceed when their husband wants a divorce, but they want to save their marriage. I was in the same situation a few years ago. This is a very tough spot to be in because you feel as if your back is against the ... Views: 509
I often receive comments and emails from wives who tell me that their husband is claiming that he wants a divorce, and the wives want to know if this means the end of the marriage. The answer to this question is going to greatly depend upon the circumstances around it, but I believe that until ... Views: 525
Although no one can really answer this question for you, I hope to give you insights on what has worked for me and others. Through my own experience and research, I've developed a theory on what will make a husband stay and what will drive him further away. It is my opinion that "chasing a ... Views: 518
Recent statistics show us that couples are trying trial separations in record numbers. There are potentially endless reasons for this. But, I believe that the economy is playing a large role. Maintaining and paying for two households is much more expensive than paying for one. Many couples ... Views: 491
This question is actually more common than you may think. When couples are in crisis or are in talks about taking a break, splitting up, or divorcing, emotions can run high and doubt can creep in. Affection, attraction, and love can still be smoldering under the surface even if a couple is ... Views: 607
Since I've begun writing about returning love to marriage, I often have wives who approach me and say they want to save their marriage, but their husbands have indicated that (or act as if) they no longer love or are in love with them. These wives don't know how in the world they can save or ... Views: 485
If you're reading this article, it's highly likely that your husband wants a divorce and you don't. Of course, I do not know whether he's merely suggested divorce or separation, you're actively going through it, or if he's already left. No matter the situation, this article will tell you the ... Views: 510
Dear Dr. Romance:
I saw your article: "Debunking Dating Myths" Great article, good advice.
I couldn't agree with you more. It was a very timely message for me. Just recently, I decided to let go of my partner...for good...It's only been 2-1/2 months since ... Views: 861
I know it still feels surreal that we are in the midst of a Pandemic and we are, what I’m calling, grounded… And, now that the shutdown has been extended to May 15th in our NY/NJ area, our resilience is being further tested. But, let me tell you that I’m super impressed with the stories I’m ... Views: 638
There are few worse feelings than being served with divorce papers when you want to save your marriage. It's absolutely normal to feel panicked and beaten. But, it's important to understand that it doesn't have to be "the end." Many marriages reconcile before the divorce is final. It's not an ... Views: 695