dating ideas

Stay at Home Date Ideas for Couples That Are Inexpensive and Fun!

Planning a date takes effort. First you have to decide what you want to do. Eating dinner at a trendy restaurant, catching the new movie everyone’s talking about, seeing a concert, or going to a Bulls game are all great options, but there is a downside. Dates like these require planning in advance, a babysitter … Read more

meet single men

Want To Meet Single Men? Here’s A BIG Tip!

“How do I meet single men?” is probably one of the questions I get asked most by my readers. I’m not sure I have the answer, but I can offer a big tip I think will drastically increase the chances of getting more dates: PUT YOUR CELL PHONE AWAY! Let me explain. Recently, I was … Read more

opposing political views

Opposing Political Views In A Relationship: Healthy or Toxic?

Opposing political views in a relationship can be challenging. What if you are hoping for Trump to win the election, but he wants Sanders? How do you talk to each other? Is it better not to talk about it? In this week’s Love Essentially, published today in the Chicago Tribune Pioneer Press, I address this … Read more

Is The Bachelor Sending The Wrong Message For Women Dating?

When The Bachelor premiered in 2002 I was 37 years old, so I wasn’t young, but I was still in touch with the whole dating scene, as I had only been married for a year or so. My ex-husband and I looked forward to every episode, rushed to the TV to catch the beginning (remember, … Read more

A Look Back At 2015: My 12 Most Popular Divorce Blog Posts

My 12 most popular divorce blog posts of 2015! How was your 2015? Was this the year your life completely spun out of control because your spouse told you he/she wanted a divorce? Or, perhaps this was a year of healing for you, spending 2015 as a separated single person? Maybe it was a year … Read more

Coping With A Breakup Is Never Easy-Especially If It happens This Way!

Coping with a breakup can be extremely difficult and depressing, your heart feeling like it just got stomped on. But the end of a relationship can be even worse if the person who broke up with you does it in a way that’s less than considerate. Below is my Love Essentially column, published yesterday in … Read more

Guys Offer Turn-Ons and Turn-Offs in Dating

Dating, especially dating after divorce can feel like you’re in unfamiliar territory. It’s hard to recall what’s going on in the minds of the men you are now going on dates with. But honestly, dating and men probably haven’t changed much since the last time you were in the dating scene. To help offer you … Read more

Bringing Your New Love Home for Thanksgiving

In my Love Essentially column, published yesterday in Chicago Tribune Pioneer Press, I offer dating advice for those bringing home a new love to meet the family at Thanksgiving. My best wishes to all of my readers for a safe, happy holiday!!   Guess Who’s Coming To Thanksgiving Dinner?  by Jackie Pilossoph A table full … Read more

Relationship Advice for Military Couples

In honor of Veterans Day, this weeks Love Essentially is dedicated to offering relationship advice for military couples. Debbie Maraia, a military spouse offers tips on how to cope with deployment. How To Love A Soldier  by Jackie Pilossoph Recently, my kids and I were at O’Hare, headed to our gate to board a flight. … Read more

relationship dealbreakers

Relationship Deal Breakers: What are YOURS?

What is a relationship deal breaker? Relationship deal breakers are things that someone isn’t willing to tolerate in the relationship; something that they can’t live with, something that they don’t want to live with, and/or something that makes it feel like it’s better to be without the person than to stay. Relationship dealbreakers cause breakups … Read more

faith and romance

Faith and Romance: How Your Relationship Can Benefit From Including God

While recently taking a walk on a beautiful, tree-lined path in my neighborhood, I ran into a dear friend – a 79-year-old Italian native, Catholic woman, who for years and years has heard the trials and tribulations of my love life. We got to talking about faith and romance. So when she asked about my … Read more

dating after you've been married

Dating After You’ve Been Married: You’re Only Allowed One Carry-On Bag On Board

I can honestly say that for every single flight I go on, the items in my ONE permitted carry-on bag consist of the following: computer, phone charger, wallet, phone, Xanex, jewelry case, lipstick, keys, playing cards (if I’m traveling with the kids), sunglasses, ticket stubs. It’s not complicated. What does this information have to do … Read more