Posts Tagged ‘news and views’
Love Is a Verb
A year ago Stacey saw a t-shirt that read “Be Intentional. Love is a Verb.” She reflects: “It is not enough for me to love others the way I FEEL like loving them in a given moment. I need to love others the way that THEY feel love.” Stacey explains how this applies to everyday life.
Same-Sex Marriage Headed for State Ballots and Supreme Court
Activity in the states around same-sex marriage is heating up. Read what’s happening from California and Washington to New Jersey and Maryland.
Say “Cheese”
Justin accompanies Sara to her doctor’s appointment, and the reality of having a baby hits home when he sees the ultrasound. He says: “The whole experience is one I can barely describe.”
My Week as a Homeless Parent
Josh and Stacey have said goodbye to Portland and made the week-long trek to their new home in South Bend. Josh reflects on the meaning of home and how God has called the family to be here.
Young Adults Remain Optimistic About Their Future
A new report finds that, despite economic challenges, young adults ages 18 to 34 are happy with their lives. They agree with older generations that family comes first and career second. Being a good parent and having a successful marriage are important life goals for this cohort.
To Fast–Or Not
Sara considers the ancient Lenten discipline of fasting and how it applies to her as a pregnant woman. How does she decide to keep the spirit of the law?
Why “Date Nights” Matter
Many married couples look forward to their date nights and agree that time by themselves helps their marriage. A new report identifies five benefits of date nights. It says that couples who enjoy high-quality time together can head off divorce.
The Name Game
Sara and Justin had the ideal baby name picked out. Then Sara found out that an acquaintance plans to use the exact same name. What do readers think she should do?
The Sex Talk
With contraception in the news these days, Josh offers an alternative perspective that is built around the vocabulary of fertility.
This Lent, Try a Little Silence
Can silence be “an essential part of communication?” It seems contradictory, but Pope Benedict points out that, among other benefits, silence can enhance what we say to each other.
The Capacity of God’s Love
How much does God love us? Stacey offers an insight, gained from her experience as a parent.
What Happens to Commitment When the Going Gets Rough?
It’s easy to be committed to a marriage when it’s meeting your needs. But what happens when you’re not getting what you want out of a relationship? Researchers discover a “second dimension” of commitment that can keep the marriage afloat.
Riding the Emotional Roller Coaster
A movie, a simple request from a colleague, a homecoming story–all these have been enough to get Sara crying. She talks about coping with her up and down emotions.
Your Time-Starved Marriage
“In these hectic, hurry-up, stressful times, every couple we know – including ourselves – is rushing around to get more done in less time,” say the authors. “Life in the fast lane inevitably means less time with the one you love.” Read how couples can maximize their time together.
Godzilla’s Rampage
Josh is fuming after neighborhood pranksters wrecked the snowman that he and the kids built. He’s all set for revenge–until his thoughts take a decidedly different turn.
Australian Bishops Urge Couples Towards “Smart Loving”
The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference encourages married couples to use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to affirm marriage and life-long romantic love. They urge couples to practice “smart loving,” that is, knowing the way one’s spouse likes and needs to be loved.
Great Expectations
As Justin awaits the birth of his and Sara’s child, he observes, “I have noticed how different the experience of “expectation” is for me as a man versus the experience for Sara as a woman.” Read how Justin is dealing with the reality of a baby and the prospect of greater responsibility.
Liberation Dance
The stress of trying to sell their house is getting to Josh and Stacey. Then Stacey finds an unexpected way to bring a little joy and laughter to their situation.
Marital Love Needs to be Other-Focused
Many church leaders believe that individualism runs against the grain of marriage. One problem, they say, is that it fosters a focus on oneself. While spouses need to grow as individuals and as a couple, the hope is that they will grow with and through each other.
No More “Superwoman”
How true are the stories one hears about pregnancy? Before becoming pregnant, Sara says that she discounted most of them. Now she’s discovering that they contain more than a little truth.
Superstitious Home-Selling
In preparation for their big move, Stacey and Josh have just put their house on the market. And they’re looking for a little saintly help…
Want to Spend Time Together? Try Working on Your Budget.
For most couples, preparing the family budget is a chore. One financial writer suggests another perspective: It’s a good way for husband and wife to spend some quality time alone with each other.
I Told You So!
Less than a week after moving into their new house, Justin and Sara get a nasty reminder about the “joys” of home ownership. How does it affect their relationship?
New Year’s Resolution
I have to admit, I think the resolution to try to make Joshua as happy as possible this year is a very worthy endeavor. So much so, that I have actually decided to adopt it as my New Year’s resolution.
Finding Happiness as Married Parents
Do you want to be happy as a couple and as parents? A new report finds that wedded bliss is often found by embracing an “ethic of generosity.” Generosity expressed through small actions appears to boost men’s and women’s chances of successfully combining marriage and parenthood.
