What does great parenting look like? Many would say that great parenting involves guidance, structure, and expectations along with love, affection, and warmth. If this concept is explored more deeply, many would also say that great parenting parents leads children to become confident, self-sufficient, kind, self-actualized, and well-adjusted. And depending on the values you may have many other attributes that you would add to this list. Although opinions on what parents want for their kids will differ, hopefully we can all agree that, the way we parent matters.

What exactly does trust mean? Does it mean that you know your partner won’t cheat on you? Or that you believe your partner will always tell the truth. Well, yes, it encompasses these examples, but true trust entails far more than this. True trust means that you know that your partner will be there for you. If the level of trust in your relationship is lower than you would like, read on for some trust building tips. ​

During the very early years of parenting, I was doing exactly what I wanted to be doing. I chose to stay home with my children. Although it was not easy, I appreciated the time we had for bonding. For many years, parenting was my sole purpose in life. Despite all the sleepless nights, feedings, diapers, tantrums, and afternoon marathons, parenting provided fulfillment that carried deep meaning for me. ​

Couples tend to carry an array of expectations for the other and the relationship. Whether we are aware of it or not, we all have expectations on household duties, finances, decision making, housing, vacation, sleep, routines, parenting, raising children. Since this is a romantic relationship, and not a business arrangement, we also have expectations around sex, passion, intimacy, commitment, fidelity, connection, friendship, companionship, and partnership.

Mindfulness is moment to moment, non-judgmental awareness. It is being present and noticing what is going on inside of you, and around you. This means noticing our thoughts and feelings as well as our inner and outer experiences through a lens of acceptance. Mindfulness is also a practice. There are mindfulness meditations, exercises, and experiences we can all bring into our life on a regular basis. ​

I think it is safe to say that most parents have yelled at their kids before. Yelling can be a protective response, such as when a toddler runs into a busy street. In some situations yelling is reasonable and could prevent a child from harm. Yet there is another kind of yelling that happens far too often in too many homes that hurts the parent-child relationship. This kind of yelling is the... if you don’t stop crying I will give you something to cry about... kind of yelling. ​

How many times have you heard the story about someone embarking on a total life change upon the heels of illness, injury, divorce, or death? The great inspirer, Brendon Burchard, talks publicly about how a tragic car accident served as a catalyst for him to start living a life that matters. The motivational speaker, Klyn Elsbury, goes big towards dreams every single day, while simultaneously fighting Cystic Fibrosis a chronic, progressive, and frequently fatal illness. ​

At the start of a relationship, most couples show up with their best self forward. During the infatuation phase, we rarely see flaws in our partner. We our on our best behavior and interact with respect and care. When we are with a new romantic partner, brain chemicals have us buzzing around in a minor state of bliss for the first several months to two years of being in a new relationship. Over time, a more realistic and sustainable way of being together emerges. This leads us to stage of more mature love that comes complete with bad days and bad moods.

Many couples report wanting a better sex life. But with children, careers, endless household duties, financial pressures, and all of the other energy drainers that come with modern family life, sexual desire can fade away. This is fairly common. 20% of couples who are married with kids have sex less than 10 times a year, which translates to around 20 million couples not having much sex. But common does not necessarily mean it is healthy or desirable. Alas, problems arise when one wants sex more or the other wants sex less. And if you become complacent, not much is likely to change.

Couples that have been together for multiple years (or decades) find they need to work at keeping their love alive. Many couples end up more like roommates than lover or feel something is missing from their relationship. If you can relate to this, keep reading. ​

Long gone are the days when couples were expected to keep their relationship difficulties locked up behind closed doors. Today, couples therapy is in the spotlight. Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have shared publicly on their value of marriage counseling. Celebrities, such as Dax Sheppard and Kristen Bell and Pink and Carey Hart, speak up about how couples therapy in a key factor in their relationship happiness. Couples Therapy is quickly becoming popular, accepted, and understood as an important way for couples to prevent and overcome challenges and maintain long term relationship bliss.

We will all encounter mis-communication, mis-steps and mis-understandings with the person we love. Conflict will happen. Some arguing within romantic relationships is normal. In fact, when couples never fight, this can indicate they are avoiding communication all together, which is not ideal. In healthy relationships, when problems arise, we can go directly to our partner, have a conversation, and take steps towards resolution. We can also repair after an argument and find a way to get back on track. ​

I have come to know that every single one of us will struggle on and off throughout life. Two steps forward, one step back, seems to be the way. I have also noticed that for some, after having a big setback, they will crumble and never find their out. Others are able to use the struggle itself to propel forward, and immerse in learning and growth after the fall. What makes the difference between those who fall apart, and can't get back up, and those who get back up and leap ahead?

If your relationship has been struggling, it will take time and effort to create lasting change. Yet there are ways you can begin to improve your relationship right now. A great place to begin is to raise your awareness of the various thoughts and feelings that happen inside of you. It sounds simple but the ability to notice our inner experience empowers us to create better outer experiences. If you like the idea of starting the journey to improve your relationship, keep reading.

One thing I know for certain about romantic relationships is that they ebb and flow. There will be good times and there will be bad times. As a couples therapist, I see this play out over and over again. Sometimes couples come to session in the midst of an argument. As we dive into their inner experience, they can be caught in a sense of hopelessness and despair. They may share thoughts about leaving the relationship. The next week, that same couple can show up holding hands and update me with a brief recount of great sex and tender moments. They don't want to leave the relationship and all is well again. ​

With the exception of daily outdoor exercise I have been at home 24/7. Surprisingly, it has gone fairly well. Last week I took some time off of work to focus on my kids. This week I resumed online counseling sessions with clients. I have my moments of complete exhaustion yet we are finding our new rhythm.

Along with most mothers in America, I have been through a lot this last week. I have gathered information from from accurate sources, stocked up at the grocery store, stayed tuned into the CDC guidelines, adjusted my work life, took the plunge into homeschooling, and am finding creative ways to keep my home running smoothly. ​

My first child was an adorable and sensitive baby. One moment she would be happy and smiling. The next moment she would start crying because a loud truck drove by or we entered into a crowded area. Mostly, I felt competent and attuned to her. But when she entered into the preschool and kindergarten years, her sensitivity became harder for me to navigate. Maybe this is because I decided to have two more children! Or maybe it is because I did not know how to handle her tantrums well. ​

People often want to know, what is the one thing I can do to turn my marriage around? There are many way couples can create positive change within their relationship. Yet, if I had to share just one thing to STOP doing, it would be this: stop blaming your partner for your troubles. ​

The story of a woman losing herself in mothering is so common. Perhaps the reason why it appears to be so hard for so many, is that we have not formalized this right of passage for women, and honored this transition for what it is.