“Making love” used to be a euphemism for having sex, back when people tried to avoiding saying “sex” (unless they were referring to gender). Now, we talk about sex in so many ways that “making love” sounds sort of quaint. But it’s quaint in a good way—like building a wood fire or playing a board […]
Should Busy Couples Schedule Sex?
Your lives are super-busy. What with jobs, taking care of the kids, dealing with the house, and just daily life, you hardly get any time alone with your partner. Even when you do, one or both of you may be so wiped out that sex just isn’t happening. That’s the reality…but it rots. You aren’t […]
Hey, Parents: Having a Good Sex Life Is Good for Your Kids
Parents’ healthy sex life models affection, teaches that sex is private and good, and strengthens the couple relationship, which gives kids stability.
How Often Should Couples Have Sex?
When people wonder how often they “should” have sex, one of two things is likely going on. Sometimes they’re anxious about whether they’re “normal.” We talk so little about healthy sexuality that many of us don’t know where we stand, so we worry. The good news on this: The range of “normal” in human sexual […]
What Swing Dance Taught Me about Relationships
When I’m not being a writer and a therapist, I go dancing. Well, not all the time…but a lot. In particular, I go swing dancing. It’s a blast, it’s great exercise, and it’s taught me more about being part of a couple. The culture in social swing dance is that everyone dances with everyone, regardless […]
What’s So Romantic About Walks on the Beach?
When you think of romantic things to do with someone you love, walking on the beach is probably on the short list. But what if you don’t live near a beach? No worries! If you know what makes beach walks romantic, you can apply the ideas anywhere, any time of year. And if you do […]
The Under-Appreciated Joys of Anticipation
We live in a world of immediate gratification. We want to watch the next episode now, we want our package delivered today, we get antsy if we have to wait in line for more than a few seconds. I understand the feeling; there’s always so much to do that waiting can feel like a waste. […]
What Family Holidays Can Teach You About Your Partner
As we approach the holiday season, you may be spending more time than usual with your family of origin and with your partner’s family. Whether you’re in a new dating relationship or a long marriage, you can use the holidays as a chance to learn more about your significant other. In a dating relationship, you’re […]
TalkStarter for Couples: Taking Talks Deeper
Do you and your honey talk? Like, really talk, so you feel you know what’s going on in each other’s heads and hearts? For some couples, this comes naturally. Talking about the stuff that matters leads to wonderful, deep connection. Knowing what’s really going on with your partner makes it much less likely that you’ll […]
When Is Porn Harmful to Relationships?
Depending on your perspective, you might think pornography is always harmful. Or you might think it’s no big deal. After all, lots of people view porn—it accounts for 35% of all web traffic in the US(!). But an expert in the field of sexuality and relationships explains that really, porn is complicated. Sometimes porn use […]