my husband is not affectionate or romantic

My Husband Is Not Affectionate Or Romantic And I Might Want A Divorce

DGS gets a lot of emails from readers who tell us “My husband is not affectionate or romantic.” While that is a problem, is it enough of an issue to warrant divorce? Here’s the story of one reader who’s wondering about this:   I have been married for 12 years and all these years I … Read more

loving relationship

Want A Guarantee for A Loving Relationship? One Word

I have written many articles on the importance of trust, respect, attraction and other things needed for a healthy, loving relationship. But couples will not be able to sustain these things without one component. In other words, what’s the one word that makes the difference between staying happy together or being unhappy together and/or getting … Read more

cheating spouse

You Have A Right To Ask Questions To Your Cheating Spouse

You can’t shake the feelings once you’ve been cheated on. The disbelief; the shock; the devastation. The disorienting sensation that you don’t know what’s true—all compounded by a surreal realization that you don’t know who your cheating spouse is anymore. It’s an entirely bewildering experience. You might start questioning your every move. Am I being too … Read more

partners low libido

Your Partner’s Low Libido. Let’s Talk

What do you do when your partner’s low libido lowers your self-esteem? by Jackie Pilossoph for Chicago Tribune Media Group When two people first fall in love, we all know what typically goes on: lots of sex. Most new couples can’t get enough of each other, both physically and emotionally, and that’s a beautiful thing. … Read more

prenuptial agreements

Prenuptial Agreements: Should You Get One And Tips If You Do

Two decades ago, when I was getting married, someone I know said to me, “If you are thinking about one of those prenuptial agreements, then you shouldn’t even be marrying the person.”   I ended up not getting a prenup and I ended up divorced. And, I have never regretted not getting “one of those … Read more

fighting in front of the kids

The Damage of Fighting In Front Of The Kids

Everyone knows fighting in front of the kids is bad. Yet, many couples–both married couples and couples who are divorced do it. Why do we do it? Not because we want to hurt our children, but Because when emotions are running high, and people just can’t think clearly.  In this week’s Love Essentially, I interview … Read more

asking for what you want in a relationship

The Importance Of Asking For What You Want In A Relationship

A huge issue in a faltering romantic relationship is when one or both people stop communicating effectively. One aspect of this is when instead of coming out and asking for things they want, hold everything inside and then become angry and resentful toward the other person because they aren’t getting what they want/need. Asking for … Read more

he just doesn't make me happy

Why “He Just Doesn’t Make Me Happy” Is An Unhealthy Thought

Have you ever heard this saying, “Happy wife, happy life?” Or, “It’s my job to make my husband happy?” Or, “He just doesn’t make me happy?” I so often hear people talking about being responsible for someone else’s happiness or holding someone responsible for their satisfaction in life. Think about the pressure of that statement, … Read more

blended families, melissa forman

Melissa Forman Gives Tips For Blended Families

Melissa Forman is a well-loved local radio and TV personality in Chicago. I’ve listened to her for decades, and I was even a guest on her TV show a few years ago, but I never knew much about her family until I ran into her at a high school tennis tournament where both of our … Read more

staying happy in your relationship

6 Tips To Staying Happy In Your Relationship

Most of us have heard of the concept of looking at our relationship with our partner as a garden that we plant and tend. The concept being that as with a garden, we plant the seeds of our relationship with another, and watch as it blooms into something that brings beauty and joy into our … Read more

cell phone rules for married couples

What Are The Cell Phone Rules For Married Couples?

An email I got from a reader got me thinking, what are the cell phone rules for married couples? Let’s start with this: Let’s say your spouse goes into another room and his or her phone is sitting right there on the coffee table. If you start looking at your spouse’s texts and emails, are … Read more

marital advice

Marital Advice From a Guy Who Has Been With His Wife For Half A Century

Peter Davidson’s resume is looking really good when it comes to someone qualified to offer marital advice. After all, Davidson has been married to his wife, Beverly for 48 years! For this week’s Love Essentially, I interviewed Davidson about his new book, “Marital Advice To My Grandson, Joel”, and got some great tips for couples … Read more