The art of making blended family relationships work. by Becky Whetstone, Ph.D. For years, I have begged friends not to marry a man or woman with minor age children. Marriage is hard without the added unique challenges of children from other relationships, not to mention the wild card known as the former spouse. Some former Read More
How to Leave Without Hurting Your Partner
Breakup tips for those who don’t do confrontation by Becky Whetstone, Ph.D. “Many human beings will go out of their way to avoid discomfort and to not cause others discomfort. This policy, adopted early in life, will cause lifelong suffering and dysfunction. The only way to true health and good relationships is to be real, Read More
Too Many People Know Nothing About Healthy Relationships.
Self-esteem is step one for building strong relationships. You can be the most intelligent, successful, or prosperous person in the room, and I’ll bet you 25 cents you know very little about how to have a healthy relationship with yourself or anyone else. How do I know? I have worked with thousands of men and Read More
Dealing With a Nagging, Bitchy Wife.
Nagging, bitchy women, and dealing with partners who don’t listen. The quickest way for anyone to get zero cooperation from a woman is to call her a bitch. After that vile word is spoken, she will take pleasure in sticking an imaginary knife into whoever’s heart and twisting it with glee. Even if you have Read More
Gold Star Mother Laments Trump’s Comments About the Fallen.
Recently, I was traumatized by former President Donald Trump, and it wasn’t the first time. My son, Marine LCpl Benjamin Whetstone Schmidt, a proud scout sniper, was killed in Afghanistan on October 6, 2011, almost 12 years ago, becoming a war hero and breaking our hearts. Benjamin’s family members are now part of a group no one wants to be in — Gold Star Families. During World War I, families of fallen war heroes began wearing black armbands with a gold star on them, hanging banners and flags with a gold star in their windows and yards, and ever since, family members of fallen heroes have been referred to as a Gold Star Family.
Can Temporary Separation Save a Marriage?
Why should a couple separate, anyway? I’ve had couples come in wanting to separate who shouldn’t and couples who needed to separate who wouldn’t. My number one goal every time is to diagnose the marriage issues, stabilize whatever marriage crisis is going on, and decide if separation is appropriate in their situation. We also want to stop couples from doing even more damage to their marriages than already exists, which is likely to happen with two people who are emotionally freaking out and relying on what friends, family members, and non-therapist-endorsed Internet searches tell them to do. Separation is a big step. It is serious business, and if we decide to go that route, it will be done for the right reasons, in the right way, and it will be one of the hardest things a couple has ever done.
The Truth About the Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner Divorce.
Money and fame can be a blessing and a curse, and world-famous Jonas Brothers singer and United States citizen Joe Jonas and Game of Thrones actress and British citizen Sophie Turner are learning this the painful way. For years they have been media darlings, the public soaking up their beauty, fashion, romance, and celebrating the births of two young children. Now, since early September, we get to see their impending divorce and legal battles over who gets custody of the children. I’m sure now that they wish they weren’t so famous.
Doing Couple’s Therapy With a Narcissist.
Therapy is always worth a try and can help with decision-making. by Becky Whetstone, Ph.D. A few years ago, I went to Los Angeles to attend Terry Real’s Relational Life Therapy training. He is world-renowned for his insightful take on male depression, healthy relationships, and narcissistic personalities in marriage, and has written several books on these Read More
Why some people act like they like us when they don’t.
Because of people like Disneylanders, life, at times, can be unnerving. Who is the real deal? Who can you really count on? Who is sincere and really means everything they say? It feels like a traffic jam of the mind to learn that some people pretend to enjoy your company — most of us prefer spending time with those who really do. Since Disneylanders hold their cards tightly to their chest, you can still spot them if you note their always pleasant demeanor, their resistance to hearing non-sugar-coated revelations, and their lack of reciprocity. They will never ever seek you out for any reason unless there is something in it for them. And there could always be something they want or need from you, so they’ll never burn the bridge.
If You Want to Better Understand Women, Read This.
Men say they don’t understand women and Dr. Becky Whetstone explains what they need to know. The question is, can they do it?