There are times when it's worth reconnecting with a loved one. When is reconciliation worth it? In considering a reconciliation, ask yourself whether the good outweighs the bad in the relationship. Keeping expectations realistic is a requirement for reconciliation. Is it possible for people to find their way back to each other after what might feel like a permanent rift in an important family relationship? A surprisingly high number of people have no contact with a sibling or a parent or other family members either because of one ultimate betrayal or a series of offenses that culmina ..read more

Dr. Jane Greer May 3, 2023 Working together to rebuild a relationship. KEY POINTS Will an affair make or break your marriage? An affair can be a wake-up call for a marriage. It is possible to reconnect after an affair and recapture lost intimacy. We often put denial into action in an effort to soften the blow, to make something we know will hurt us appear less bad. If we pretend it isn’t happening, then it can’t touch us, right? The truth is, ignoring a problem can make it worse in so many ways. Consider infidelity, for example. If we have an inkling that our spouse or partner might be ..read more

Celebrities get together and break up in front of the camera all the time. But these days you don’t have to be a star to see your new love interest with an ex. With all the social media that comes into play today, especially Facebook, it might be a little too easy to witness the relationship that came before yours. So what does this mean to your romantic future? And when, if ever, is it okay to talk about it? Does this situation deserve its own section in the book of dating etiquette? In the old days, break-ups were much cleaner. Sure, there might be some old photos of an ex stuck in a box som ..read more

It’s easy to get swept up in the romance of it all, especially the idea of playing house. But anyone at this stage of the dating game must have asked themselves: how long do you date, and how long do you wait, before you decide to become mates…as in roommates? The prospect of living together and finally being a mini-family can be thrilling, not only because it sounds cozy and enjoyable, but also because it feels like a down payment on your relationship. Taking that step sometimes feels seamless because you are spending so much time together anyway. Maybe he’s cleared out a drawer for you alrea ..read more

When is the best time to meet the family of your new flame? Is it ever advisable to attend a large family function so early in a relationship? This is a common question in the wake of a new relationship. Is a more personal setting, such as dinner, better, or is it too much pressure?             Sometimes the timing can’t be helped. You have been dating for a few weeks and his sister just happens to be getting married next week. Or it is his older brother’s birthday bash and everyone will be there. On the one hand, it can feel flattering th ..read more

If you're in a long-term relationship and want to be engaged, how long do you think you should wait for your partner to be ready? This is a question that many people ask after they have committed to their spouse through the ups and downs and are now ready for the ultimate commitment of marriage.          As hard as it is to accept, sometimes relationships outlast their shelf life and stop moving forward. How can you know if your relationship has reached that point, and you have entered that zone of just wasting your time? The most important thing to keep ..read more

Brides Magazine By Dr. Jane Greer: Marriage and Family Therapist, Author, Radio Host, Shrink Wrap Celebrity Commentator You and your fiancé just got engaged! Not only are you both thrilled, but everyone around you is happy for you, too. Sometimes, though, the excitement can take on a life of its own, sweeping you away, and not allowing you to take the time you need to connect this new romantic development with the reality of your lives. In other words, you have committed to getting married, but there might be a lot to think about and take care of before you are ready to actually walk down the ..read more

The holidays are expected to be a joyous time full of love and caring. Often, however, they don’t live up to expectations and in fact can highlight what is missing in people’s lives. If you have been through a divorce and have now found love again, you might be dealing with the ups and downs of combining your family with your new partner’s. Add sibling rivalry, inherent in every family, often gets added to the mix, layering on complications and challenges to that love and caring. The rivalry may even carry over into adulthood, as I describe in my book Adult Sibling Rivalry: Understanding The L ..read more

Clearing Out the Old and Making Way For The New When You Divorce Divorce spells the end of the marriage, as well as making decisions as a couple. That is ground that is typically hard to navigate. Now you’re on your own, and with that comes freedom of choice and the opportunity to decide for yourself the things you want to do as well as what you want to get. Once you start thinking in those terms, there is so much to cover that you don’t often consider the fact that your jewelry, particularly your engagement ring, wedding band, and other pieces you acquired during your marriage, factor i ..read more

Can your dog pull your partnership together? Most people know the wonder of dogs, how they are heavenly creatures living on earth with us. Just look at the word dog—God spelled backwards. There is no question that dogs do amazing things for their humans. They ease stress and anxiety. Simply petting a dog can lower your heart rate and your blood pressure. Dogs can teach kids responsibility, and they can also teach the very sad lesson of losing someone you love dearly. In their most important role, they bring families together, giving them a shared focus for affection as well as a language of lo ..read more