Pets can be a source of joy, or a nightmare. Which kind of pet should you get, if any? How many is too many? Whose responsibility is it to take care of them?
The issues of pets are fairly easy to work out on your own, but when you and your spouse disagree about how many pets to have or what kind of pets to have or who will take care of them, then you might run into a whole lot of trouble. Should you be responsible for cleaning up after the dog your wife had from before you were married? Are your husband’s three cats driving you insane?
Today’s guest is Dr. Susan Orenstein, and she’s joining us to discuss how couples can come to an agreement on how to manage the pets they already have, and how to compromise on any desire for new furry friends. Susan says you can learn a lot about your partner by how he or she is with your pets or pets in general. For instance, if your partner is allergic to cats, the issue is about the cat. If your partner doesn’t think it’s important to make sure the dog gets a walk, you’re learning how he or she values animals; and if your partner is immune to your pet’s crying/pain, this could tell you how compassionate he or she is in general.
Susan is the Director of Orenstein Solutions in Cary, NC. Susan specializes in adult relationship issues and has worked extensively in treating couples and individuals apoteketgenerisk.com.
To find out more about Susan and her practice, visit their website or call (919) 428-2766 to schedule an appointment.
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What is the key to being mindful in your marriage?
The idea of mindfulness is to be present to ourselves physically, emotionally, spiritually and literally in the moment. Being mindful involves focusing on your breathing and thoughts rather than projecting yourself into the future with worries and anxiety. Sometimes it is much easier, mentally, to think about the what ifs– What if this happens? What if that happens? What if we break up? What if we can’t afford this? In turn, what becomes more challenging is staying in the present moment.
When life is plagued with disconnection and stress, things can get tough. More and more people are finding themselves running on autopilot, essentially. They are not fully and deeply present with themselves and each other. And sadly, a lot of people end up just accepting this as the inevitable. If couples can learn to develop skills for mindfulness, however, their communication, expression and intimacy abilities will flourish.
Today’s guest is Dr. Kevin Metz, a couples specialist with Lepage Associates, and he’ll be discussing some of the techniques for mindfulness that he teaches and encourages in relationships. While helping people get back to a positive place in their marriages, Kevin inspires a level of discipline and mindful awareness.
To find out more about Kevin and his practice, visit their website or call (919) 572-0000 to schedule an appointment.
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What’s the real story behind multiple marriages?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the current marriage rate is 6.8 per 1000 people. Not so shockingly, the current divorce rate is 3.4. This means that, right now, 50 percent of marriages are ending in divorce. And with half of all marriages ending in divorce, more and more people are finding themselves remarried and categorized as multiple marriers.
We’re talkin’ two, three, four and even five marriages. Maybe more. What are the facts behind these kinds of situations? What are the statistics and how does the multiple marriage pattern become established in the first place? Oftentimes, serial marriers are perceived by society in a relatively negative or less respectable manner… but why? What has really become the most interesting is the expectations that surround marriage and family life.
Today’s guest is a multiple marrier herself, Pam Evans. While Pam serves as the senior director in the high tech sector of a Fortune 1000 company, she also doubles as an author and public speaker on the subject of multiple marriages. She has not only been featured on the Bay Area Independent Publishers List, but also on last summer’s Top 12 Book Pick List on “Spirited Woman.” She’s here to discuss the myths and truths of being a serial marrier.
To find out more about Pam and her adventures as a multiple marriage expert, check out her book Ring EXchange and visit her website.
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