Bad Marriage Advice #20: Marriage Counseling Doesn’t Work
I used to get asked all the time what my success rate doing couples counseling was. My answer—100% with couples who were willing and able to do the work and 0% with couples who weren’t. Because I can only provide information. I can’t make someone use it. And neither...
Bad Marriage Advice #19: Relationships are Natural
I still remember my client Sarah bouncing into my office claiming she had an epiphany. I said, “Great, what is it?” She said, “I’ve figured out that relationships aren’t natural.” I smiled and replied, “Where did you get the idea they were?” She is not alone in...
Bad Marriage Advice #18: Only Couples in Trouble Need Help
Do you think Steph Curry and LeBron James continue to work to improve their games even though they are arguably the best at what they do? No, that isn’t a trick question. Yes, it relates to your marriage. My newest Lesli-ism is, “no one has to take a Relationship 101...
Bad Marriage Advice #17: Your Kids Will Be Just Fine with Your Divorce
Yes, children are resilient. That doesn’t mean you don’t do your best to protect them from harm. Car seats, bike helmets, staying in your yard, meeting their friends’ parents, holding their hand as you cross the street. But divorce? Well, they’ll be okay. Eventually....
Bad Marriage Advice #15: If Your Partner Really Loves You, They’ll Just Know What You Need
Several years ago, I was hiking with my mother when she said, “I don’t believe women should have to ask for what they want?” Luckily, I was behind her so she couldn’t see my jaw drop. You see, I’m not a subscriber to the mind-reading school of marriage. Love doesn’t...
Bad Marriage Advice #14: If You’re Having Sex, Your Marriage is Okay
It’s commonly accepted that, if things aren’t going well in your marriage, the problems will show up in the bedroom. So many people believe the opposite is true. If there are no problems in the bedroom, the marriage is okay. I suggest you be careful in making this...