All relationships need nurturing. I like to think of relationships like plants. If we leave a plant in sandy soil and give it too much sun and not enough water, it will quickly die. No two plants are the same. …
Category: Relationships
Are You Triggered By Your Parents?
We all carry wounds from our childhood. It might be that you were teased for being chubby, you were pushed to succeed academically, or there wasn’t enough to eat. When these wounds are left unresolved, we might find ourselves as …
Understanding the 5 Stages of a Relationship
One common myth about great relationships is that there are no arguments or disagreements. The Gottmans, fantastic relationship experts who have done lots of research in this area, disagree. It is NORMAL to have conflict in a relationship; the issue …
Strong Friendships are the Secret to Relationship Success
When there is a strong friendship, repairs in the relationship work better. In the Gottman’s book “The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work” (1999), they talk about the importance of repairs. In any relationship, we have to expect to have …
Key Components for Boundary Setting with In-Laws
This is a personal one…for me, point 3, ‘manage your expectations’ was a huge learning with my in-laws. I grew up with basically six people in my family; my mum, dad, sister, nan, and grandad (my mother’s parents), and we …
Setting Boundaries when Dating
Dating boundaries are important because they reflect the kinds of boundaries we have in other parts of our lives. If our boundaries are non-existent in the beginning, it can be challenging to reinstate them later on. Dating boundaries can be …
What Respecting Boundaries Might Sound Like
In many intimate relationships, especially with friends and partners, we get used to them doing certain things and playing certain roles in our lives. It can be difficult at first when those people decide they need to stop doing those …
Why Apologies Are Important
Saying sorry is important when it is done with sincerity and when real actions are taken to make amends and to right the wrong that was done. An apology can be a powerful gift for both the giver and the …
Why You Might Have Difficulties Setting Family Boundaries
Boundaries are an act of self-love and are part of healthy self-care. As we grow older, it is natural that we need different boundaries with our family to those that were suitable as a child. This means that even in …
The Importance of Discussing Family Issues
“In your dreams!” I hear many of you thinking as you read this tile, and for many of you, that is true. Having family discussions about important issues can be a disaster for everyone involved depending on the emotional maturity …