Marriage Works

Husbands Who Help Get More Bedroom Action Study Finds

Last updated on February 12th, 2015 at 01:37 pm

Cloth Clips Alessandra Favetto alessandrafavetto.com — Research shows men – more chores you do, more sex you get. Photo credit: Alessandra Favetto, Spain

This morning I spoke to John Stanley and Garry Linnell of 2UE’s breakfast show on this very topic – the division of labour in the household. Interestingly Garry said he actually does most of the housework.

He is more enlightened than most, as around 70% of household duties in a partnership are still performed by women.

Research to the rescue, guys – Neil Chethik’s study VoiceMale: What husbands really think about their marriages, their wives, sex, housework and commitment found the more housework husbands did, the more sex they were having with their wives. De Facto couples do not despair, as I imagine similar correlations are apparent as men perform more household duties – please let me know if this is the case.

Curious to think what may be behind this? Perhaps as women are freed up from the kitchen sink it brings out their wild side. Or they may have more energy to offer up in the bedroom?

So guys the sum of this is the more chores you, do the more sex you will get!

Read on for help if you are stuck in a hopeless battle in the chore wars in your relationship. Continue reading Husbands Who Help Get More Bedroom Action Study Finds

Want to know what to buy for your partner this Christmas?

Last updated on February 12th, 2015 at 01:36 pm

I was inspired to write this article after a conversation with Karl my hairdresser, where he was telling me of all the goodies he had bought for his girlfriend and the thought he had put into it.

Some folk find getting the right gift is tough, so I want to help you with some handy hints that will apply to any time a present is needed – Christmas, birthday or wedding anniversary. Please click here to read on… Continue reading Want to know what to buy for your partner this Christmas?

Will you make this the Silly Season?

Last updated on February 12th, 2015 at 01:30 pm

I write that question as a challenge and want to know how you might answer.

It is December 2014 – Christmas time. Many parties and celebrations are planned.

They do call it the silly season. Office drinks can turn into impromptu embraces and stolen kisses under the influence and more (read between the sheets!).

What I want to know is how will you protect your marriage from a whoops moment that felt good at the time but now fills you with regret or worse confusion.

Be aware and hold onto your integrity. Read on for ideas on how to do this please click here… Continue reading Will you make this the Silly Season?

Is blame helping you deal with the affair or your relationship?

Last updated on February 12th, 2015 at 01:26 pm

It’s not unusual to feel a need to blame your ex-partner for a relationship that ended or your current spouse if there has been a breach in the relationship say in the case of an affair.

The problem with taking this position is it keeps you stuck and unable to move forward.

Blame is a negative, heavy emotion that will sink your happiness and block possibilities for recovery.

Blame keeps you connected to either the past marriage or the current hurt. It blocks healthy healing and learning.

Maybe this is sounding a little like where you are right now or you know of a good friend, your sister who’s only focus is on their partner’s wrongs ?
While they may have a good point you are past hearing about it and feel stuck and powerless also.

So what if you are ready to change and move beyond the blame cycle? Please read on by clicking here… Continue reading Is blame helping you deal with the affair or your relationship?

The Three Choices in Relationship Distress – Which will you choose?

Last updated on February 12th, 2015 at 01:20 pm

Dan Wile suggests couples typically use three choices of action when faced with relational conflict:

Attack and Defend a most hurtful way of handling things. This is where one party lashes out criticising their significant others character by finding fault and inadequacy and attacking them personally. This drives their mate away. When a person feels attacked they get defensive which also further distances and harms the relationship.
Avoid or Deny. This is when you ignore or minimise your unhappy feelings about the issue at hand. Self talk might sound like “It’s stupid to feel this way,” or “I just won’t think about it (say anything, ignore it or pretend it’s ok) and maybe it will go away.” “It’s no big deal.” This sort of downplaying really disheartens the partnership. When the issue continues it gets harder to maintain this avoidance.
Self–Disclose and Connect. You can talk about how you feel about the issue and work on common understanding – this doesn’t mean you have to agree. You may not find the perfect solution or compromise but you have allowed for emotional connection and intimacy building.

Is there a particular style you identify yourself as using from the list? Be honest now. Here is your challenge – move beyond attack and defend, avoid and deny and use the only workable option self disclose and connect.

This will require courage and self-confrontation.

Read on for suggestions as to how to start to rebuild the intimacy with sharing yourself and reconnecting here: Continue reading The Three Choices in Relationship Distress – Which will you choose?

Are you in Stuck in the Avoidance Trap?

Last updated on February 12th, 2015 at 01:36 pm

Many couples coming to marital therapy at Marriage Works relationship practice are suffering from disappointment and resentments in their relationships. In part this is due to their inaction with dealing with the issues head on.

This holding pattern can go on for many years, simmering below the surface, fracturing the relationship. The occasional explosion will occur and some problems might be discussed resulting in a honeymoon period of closeness and intimacy before the old avoidance pattern resurfaces and the resentment cycle kicks in.

Sometimes this crisis will take the form of an extra-marital affair or it may be embedded in workaholism, chronic busy-ness, gambling, alcohol use, or other third party preferences to the relationship. It is not uncommon for a couple to be in my office two years out from the infidelity with cycles of hurt and remorse playing out for both parties but no resolution.

Often I see a fixed pattern and story of a marriage in heart failure that builds to a breach rising into conscious awareness for the pair. Even after the reconciliation phase many relationships fail due to not dealing with the deeper issues that lead to the crisis in the partnership.

The real culprit here is the Avoidance Trap not confronting or being vulnerable with each other.

Please click text to continue reading… Continue reading Are you in Stuck in the Avoidance Trap?

Happy Fathers Day!

Last updated on February 12th, 2015 at 12:58 pm

Hello Dads everywhere this is your day to celebrate your special Dadness.

Fathers bring a wonderful influence and meaning to children’s lives.

Parenthood is a terrific learning experience where all the good stuff totally outweighs the nappies, sleepless nights and tears when you get a giggle and a smile from your child. You can bask in their warmhearted delight.

Enjoy your Day Dads!

The Porn Ultimatum – Sabour Bradley

Last updated on February 12th, 2015 at 12:56 pm

I just watched Head First: Porn Ultimatum with journalist and ABC Producer Sabour Bradley. It was interesting and he raised some great questions to ponder.

Good work Sabour. Click here to read on.

Continue reading The Porn Ultimatum – Sabour Bradley

Sexual Jealousy poisons relationships

Last updated on February 12th, 2015 at 12:51 pm

My friend Matty Silver an experienced sex therapist recently wrote about the toxicity of sexual jealousy in The Beast (a magazine distributed in Bondi, Clovelly, Randwick and Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs).

If it is not dealt with immediately it will slowly poison the relationship and can harm all parties involved.

Jealousy and envy generally stem from a very fragile place where a person feels vulnerable and insecure. It is an immature emotional response more suited to a three-year-old.

You can’t let a three-year-old part dictate your life and control things, it’s not very attractive for your or your significant others. Get help to move beyond the hurt and heal what informs this.

Sex therapy in combination with marital counselling offer you the skills and ability to fully embrace life and the relationship you deserve, begin it now by making the call to a couples therapist near you today.

Resource Therapy Invitation from Dr Emmerson

Last updated on February 12th, 2015 at 12:49 pm

I have returned from the the final Advanced Clinical in Resource Therapy training run by Dr Gordon Emmerson. What a wonderful experience.

Dr Emmerson selected those practitioners he felt had the field experience, expertise in working with a wide variety of patients and emotional depth to be trainers of Resource Therapy (RT).

I am deeply honoured to accept the invitation to be a RT trainer.

Next year I will be delivering training in New Zealand and Australia, Sydney and possibly Brisbane. I’ll keep clinicians posted. Continue reading Resource Therapy Invitation from Dr Emmerson

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