In this Halloween- themed episode Stuart gives couples who’ve been “spooked” in their relationship some alternatives to divorcing. Stuart believes that unless there are extremes of violence and substance abuse issues, that divorce is NOT the answer to your marital problems.

We can get into negative cycles and repeat those patterns in our relationships. Wanting to break out of those is scary but once each partner relates all of the qualities about their partner to these negative cycles, their instincts are to get away from the negativity, and the person with whom they associate the negativity. Without the tools to fix the problems people feel helpless and want to give up and /or run away.

Read the complete show notes here: 

Don't Let Your Marriage Spook You Into Divorce Show Notes

In episode 82 of the Couples Expert Podcast Stuart talks about the last stage of life, love and relationships. We’ve raised our kids, they’re out on their own and maybe having families of their own and  here we are with our partners rattling around in our empty nest. It can be a tough time if you’re not prepared for it. Leaving you feeling kind of lost and alone. You may have been living separate lives and now need to get reacquainted. Now is the time to start this last stage of your long term life and relationship by seeing your partner in a new way and rekindling the love and connection between the two  of you.

Stuart also discusses how we need to set boundaries with our adult children and in our role of grandparents. If you don’t discuss and agree on where those boundaries are, it can cause huge problems in your relationship. We need to support and communicate with our adult children but never meddle or interfere. We can feel proud that we launched our adult children and that they are doing well. They can be equipped to handle their own loving relationships because we’ve modeled a healthy partnership for them.

Read the full show notes on the The Couples Expert blog here:

http://www.thecouplesexpertscottsdale.com/podcasts/

This week’s podcast topic is a bit different. This is week 2 of the 3 stages of a relationship. Last week we talked about the early stages of a relationship. So, today’s it’s phase 2, which covers the stage of raising children. There are so many challenges that come with parenting, so I am bringing on an expert to handle the topic. So today we talk about ways to handle those challenges, while still maintaining a close, connected relationship that will allow you to feel loved and supported. 

It’s also important that as you and your partner maintain a close and committed relationship, that the children also feel connected and secure in their relationship you, as well as their place in the family. By modeling this kind of relationship to your children, you are showing them how to act in a relationship.

Today’s guest is Dr. Robert Pate, a Counselor, and Psychologist from Huntington Beach, CA. Dr. Pate has a private practice in Orange county. He’s here to guide us through these conversations  about how to maintain healthy parental relationships with your children, while maintaining your relationship as a connected couple. 

You can read the full show notes and access the links and resources at www.thecouplesexpertscottsdale.com

This is a place where you can come to learn ways that you and your partner can take your relationship to the next level. There’s nothing in the world that can compare to having a relationship where you know you are accepted exactly as you are, where you and your partner are in this journey together and will take on any challenges that come in your path. 

My wife and I were talking the other day, and I was asking her what it was like to be in a relationship with me. Sometimes I like to hear the perspective of my wife, just to see how I’m doing. She said that one of the things she loves about me is my gentleness and my kindness. She said that I was one of the kindest people she knew. Now, to be honest, I really wanted her to say I was sexy, or strong or virile and all of these other things, but she came out with kindness and gentleness!

In actuality, my wife gave me a gift. You see kindness is a characteristic that I can carry throughout my life. It doesn’t fade with age or looks. It doesn’t depend on me looking or feeling a certain way. It’s just a characteristic that I have in my life that will be with me as long as I live. So having this sort of admiration from my wife, makes me feel secure and makes me feel like I can be myself with her, and not every couple can feel that way.

My wife is genuinely one of the most good natured people I have ever known. She rarely does anything to stir me up, because I know she has no ill intentions. It makes us unique as a couple because we can truly be ourselves, without the risk of rejection.

Each relationship has different phases:

1. Newlywed and early years with children
2. Raising the family and building a career
3. Empty nest and growing older together in retirement

Over the next 3 episodes, we will discuss each of these phases in-depth.

You can read the full show notes and access all the links and resources at www.thecoupleexpert.com