This category contains articles that offer marriage advice and second marriage advice.
There is a reason the divorce rate for second marriage is over 70%. In fact, some studies even claim second marriage failures as high as 80%. That doesn’t speak well for second marriage – especially second marriage after 40. If you’re considering second marriage after 40, or even if you are just dating, with … Read more
Staying with someone who cheated on you is a tough call. Every situation is unique. If someone cheats, that doesn’t necessarily mean he/she will do it again. Maybe it was a wakeup call that the marriage needs help. Maybe divorce isn’t the answer. That said, is the phrase “Once a cheater, always a cheater” accurate? … Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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