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I worry about blended families in quarantine where emotions are being processed in a place that doesn’t feel safe. For stepchildren and stepparents alike.

If absence makes the heart grow fonder, being sick and tired together sucks the fondness right out. But this quarantine means we're stuck in this together.

My husband supporting me through my mental health wasn’t in our plans when we got married, but it was in our wedding vows. 

As I sit at the beginning of another week, grieving the quarantine, it’s clear: we don’t like feeling out of control. This new normal comes with loss.

Finding patience at home is one of the hardest parts of this quarantine life. My impatience grows as my cabin fever increases.

We know. The idea of your family having a service for Easter can feel weird and even sad. But this Easter at home can still be meaningful, memorable.

Often, we ask ourselves "How do I get my spouse to do things my way?" Yet arguments about the “right way” are rarely about what they seem.

Any semblance of date night just got drop-kicked out the door. But with a little commitment you can still make time together. 10 date-ins get you started.

The threat of COVID-19 has forced us to face the fear of death. It has become real: human life is fragile. But you can control the fear.

As COVID-19 shutdowns continued, we realized ongoing conversations with our kids were a must. But first, we needed to talk to each other.

This time of being quarantined is challenging! One surprising aspect might be how hard it is to adjust to being together 24/7.

With more COVID-19 closures, families are gathering at home and around the table again. If it’s been awhile, here's insight on making family dinners work.

The effort to lump stepfamilies at church with biological families may have noble motivations. But it often leaves stepfamilies feeling unloved and unseen.

There are many lessons I’ve gathered on the journey of grief, and one of them is this: The heartache of losing a spouse lasts a lifetime.

Every morning I wake up wondering if it’ll be another day of doctors, supplements, tears, and doubts for my spouse who suffers with chronic pain.

Saying “I’m sorry” is one of the most important phrases you can say in any relationship. But it’s also one of the hardest.

Pornography drives our curiosity and shapes our sexual expectations. If you or someone you know is struggling, these tips can help.

Families and communities go through a long process to put pieces back together after a natural disaster. We can play a vital part of the recovery effort.

The brain magnet has shown that attachment—specifically, joyful attachment—is the most powerful motivator in life. No doubt, joy in marriage changes a home.

Mistakes and pain can label us. But if we tell our kids about our past we show them ways we are overcoming. Our kids need to know that too.

I’m not married yet, but I’ve spent my entire life learning how to have a strong marriage through watching my parents' example.

Most people mistakenly believe remarrying in the empty nest years is easier. But this union brings its own unique struggles.

I’ve always thought there was some marital finish line protecting your marriage on the other side. But few people warn you about gray divorce.

When you have a friend who talks about suicide, it's scary. Not knowing what to do, we often do very little. But doing nothing isn’t helpful. Try this.

We found out that no one is immune from marriage challenges. When we faced a serious conflict, I didn’t know where to turn for help for my marriage.

Wondering which direction you should go with a big decision? Don’t overestimate your ability to mess up your life by taking a wrong turn! 6 Q's to help.

Romance is all around. But that only accentuates how hard your marriage feels right now. How do you do Valentine’s Day when marriage is hard?

As I narrow down my list of potential bridesmaids, I realize I need more than someone to plan a wedding shower. I need someone who will help me be the wife I long to be.

Would I prepare my heart for God to do something new, or would I let old labels and seasons paralyze me?

Our unknowns are known by God, and the very moments we think are scary are opportunities for growing our faith.

When he recommended abortion, I finally understood. That choice is for when the fear is suffocating. Sometimes scared moms want an easier way.

Leaving heaven and coming to earth was part of God’s plan for Jesus—and all of humanity—all along.

Conflict with your spouse is inevitable for all couples. Whoever got the idea into our heads that “marriage should be easy” probably wasn’t married.

Then I asked my wife a question that would change the nature of our relationship forever. I needed her to be more than someone who I did fun things with.

One of the most important facets of marriage is highly overlooked—the idea of knowing yourself. Emotional Intelligence isn't as innate as it seems.

We'd been sufficiently warned. We were working against all the odds to stay together: divorced homes. Demanding careers. And now, a chronically-ill child. 

You want to find joy and delight in your marriage. But you’ll never be able to accomplish this alone in the four walls of your home together.

Many blended family weddings incorporate a ceremony called “blending of the sands.” But in reality it does not mean they have obtained “familyness.”

In your marriage, will you be the gardener or the consumer?

Rejection in blended families hurts and is discouraging. What is needed is the resolve to keep going and a few helpful tools.

What started as an online affair devastated their marriage. Could they find renewal after infidelity?

As bad as your situation might be, it is not beyond God’s power to fix.

A new job. Losing a baby. A new house. Or a spouse's confession. We can’t see what the new year may bring, but we can trust God to write our story.

We're in the practice of resolutions. These prayers for the New Year will move us toward spiritual renewal too.

My wife of 10 years told me she didn't love me anymore. I would have said our marriage was a 10 out of 10. How was I so blind to the deadness of her heart?

In only a few short months, we had gone from gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes to glaring at each other with anger and disgust, each wondering – and not only to ourselves – if we had married the wrong person.

Christmas is for the broken, the lonely and forgotten, and the misfits.

As much as we hope we’ll become idyllic people during this idyllic season, our struggles refuse to take a holiday.

The Christmas season didn’t kick off quite how we had planned after receiving the text from our son … “I’m not coming.”

Having fantasy arguments in your head or Facebook fights with toxic people? It's tiring! But defending your reputation might not be worth your time.

It’s hard to get romantic in your mother-in-law's living room, kids snoring around you on sleeping bags. Still, sneaking in sex over the holidays is doable.

Manipulation is a mind game leaving you wondering: Is my spouse manipulating me? We all have unhealthy ways to get what we want. So it’s worth considering.

Peer pressure can be subtle. Other times your child's friend sports a Michael Kors bag. Or their second grade class splits into boyfriend-girlfriend duos.

Satan is our real enemy, and he would love to divide our marriages through suspicion, jealousy, disrespect, and resentment.

“No jumping on Mimi’s couches. No snacks in the living room.” Welcome to disciplining kids at Grandma's. But whose rules do you follow? Yours or Mimi's?

There can be a lot of rottenness in the world. At times, it’s so obvious and undeniable it’s nearly enough to knock you for a loop.

God gives us eternal treasures, so let’s take time to notice during the season of stuff.

Instead of looking to Hollywood for the answers about love and dating, find out what Scripture has to say.

The cultural confusion about masculinity has left many young guys to either shy away from their masculinity or use it selfishly.

When dating, we often miss one very important truth of relational health: Intimacy should never exceed commitment.

I wanted to be shocked that my 5-year-old kid wants a cell phone. But it’s the world we live in. Mandy at NextTalk says the digital world changes parenting.

I have a hard time Christmas shopping for my wife. It's not because I don't enjoy giving her gifts. I do. It's just that I don't want to mess it up.

Your spouse might find openness struggling with depression. But mental health issues don’t just impact the lives of those who have them.

What if we stopped treating gratitude like green bean casserole—something to dish out once a year?

My wife refused all my attempts to reconcile, keeping her distance both physically and emotionally.That scared me. And I had a choice to make.

No one tells you all your dreams can’t fit in one life. You may wonder if a strong woman follows or leads. Is she in the boardroom or the kitchen?

What's the answer for the many who suffer quietly in the supposed safe place for the hurting--the church--yet go without the comfort of others?

How could we possibly think retirement, changing health, and decline ahead wouldn't have surprises and challenges like our 40+ years of marriage?

Do my high expectations create a stressful environment? Am I helping my kids succeed? Or am I hurting their chances of experiencing the joys of life?

"Even good moms have scary thoughts sometimes," my husband reassured. I didn’t want to admit it. But I knew deep inside I was facing postpartum depression.

"I think the bottom line is that God just doesn’t like women," my friend shared her frustration. But is that the truth about us?

Seven ways to make the holy days peaceful days.

John MacArthur told Beth Moore to “Go home." Male and female opinions on both sides erupted. But there’s a bigger offense at play that no one is outing.

I know my kids’ emotions are complex. I'm learning that rather than the disease, those emotions are symptoms. So I'm seeking understanding and solutions.

My grandmother said to prevent getting pregnant she just "...didn’t do the evil thing!” No disrespect to her but sex is not dirty or shameful.

I am the dreaded Enneagram 8—the challenger. Self-confident, decisive, willful, and confrontational. But I also stand for what is right in an unmoving way.

It’s easy for Astros fans to love José Altuve's series clenching 2 run walk-off sending Houston to the World Series. But we all cheer his poise and class.

We've all wondered the long-echoed question: how often should we have sex? Likely you and your spouse don't agree. It'd be nice to ask someone else!

Casual sex boasts the benefits of being a modern woman: freedom, confidence, independence. But how is hooking up good for girls if 83% prefer commitment?

Ten questions guys commonly ask and our best answers to these often tricky (and awkward-to-talk-about) situations.

Americans choose sides as if the entire country is getting a divorce. Shouting in ALL CAPS. Colorful @#$% thrown in. Outrage culture is our world today.

Advice on seeing both the stepmom’s and biological mom’s perspectives.

I spent most of my 20’s trying to be someone else. Finally marriage, motherhood, depression, and my 30’s forged my self-discovery and acceptance.

The move from New York to Arkansas was painful for our family, but the journey taught us a few things.

What is it about Rachel Hollis that makes her so appealing to hundreds and thousands of women? I get why she satisfies and why she doesn't.

Mike Pence, among many men, committed to not being alone with a woman in the workplace. Is this offensive to working women who don't have the same option in the male-dominant workforce?

Suddenly I knew it was true. He may not be listening, but I finally understood I wasn’t either.

People say talking about depression will make it better. Jarrid Wilson‘s suicide shows you can talk about it and not be okay.

In year one of marriage, we did a lot of right things to be good spouses. But for marriage to last, it has to be based on more than a few early habits.

Blended family couples avoid many problems when they communicate and discuss money matters mutually.

These practical strategies will give you tools for a peaceful and effective interchange.

An Enneagram 3 to the core, I know I can change the world. Feeding hungry children, slashing divorce rates, and housing homeless: bring it on!

How do we know in the middle of deep despair if it’s time to throw the house key in his face? Or if we can check our emotions and reevaluate? 

I’m Jenn. I’m a 9. If you’re a 6, like my husband, you’re waiting to decide if I’m knowledgeable about the Enneagram until after you hear what I say.

Disagreement usually sparks hatred. But when did disagreeing equate hating?  We, as a whole, have forgotten how to respectfully disagree.

Sure, social media has been known to ruin a marriage or two. But if used in appropriate ways, it's a tool to actually strengthen your bond.

In the wake of tragic events, it’s tempting to feel hopeless or point fingers at others. Here are some practical ways I can respond now.

Whether or not Ed Sheeran recognizes it, his lyrics communicate the truth that the things of this world will never satisfy.

Josh and Tracey Devine barely survived their blended family turmoil, but with God’s grace and the help of resources like FamilyLife Blended®, they are now helping other stepfamilies survive and thrive.

The college years can be a tricky transition not just for students, but for their parents as well.

Society tells women they are not naturally beautiful. But what does God say?

Fun and laughter can illuminate our world by reminding us life is not supposed to be so serious.

It’s your billionth fight about the same thing. Your go-to conversations throw out divorce as a threat. What should you do if your marriage is dying?

The ad is surfacing yet again, as Gillette attempts to explain billion-dollar losses this quarter. The public wonders if we need more or less masculinity.

"Close-minded. Unaccepting. Judgmental." Many in our society label Christians as the most hateful people of all in a world fighting for love to win.

I don’t just want to connect with him just for me. I want to both know him and be known by him. I want my husband to join in our conversation too.

My daughter Sam is 12, but I’ve only known her for a year. No one’s story is as straightforward as it may seem. Families are made in many ways.

Their teachers have encouraged their strengths (and helped them find them), instilled confidence, prayed for them, praised them, and lovingly disciplined them when necessary. “Thanks” just doesn’t seem enough.

A catchy new song by Miley reveals a view on love that may not last a lifetime.

That’s when the crying turned ugly. The early tears were sadness. But these were regret. I was lamenting a missed opportunity.

Later that night I told my husband thank you. “What you did this afternoon changed our whole day. Thanks for saying what you said and doing what you did.”

On the fourth night of the honeymoon, I was like, “Babe, I’m spent. Can we just cuddle?” You ever been there? Turning down the lady’s advances?

A millennial’s perspective on Joshua Harris's “falling away” from the Christian faith: "I am among the generation that was shaped, both good and bad."

Women who have never married or had children are the happiest and healthiest, I heard. I'm an unmarried woman with no children. Does single equal happy?

Even the mighty fall. To some, Josh Harris was mighty. He had great influence on their spiritual formation. I hope and pray they know that the Almighty still stands.

Christian college isn't a guarantee that students will keep the faith. A thriving relationship with God doesn't happen simply by immersion.

More stuff means more bills. More bills require more work.The work life balance cycle is as paralyzing as it is addictive. And it is luring every American family.

Meghan McCain's version of marriage counseling is "drinking Jack Daniels, shooting some guns and hanging out." Is that what you should expect?

'Should I be shielding him? Pretend he’s just tired? I feel like I'm on damage control for his decision.' Tips to respond when your spouse isn't into it.

Research shows millennials may be the most family-oriented generation in the last 50 years. Millennial parents are changing the norm to raise healthy kids.

Video games offer a world for your kids where they are the ones with power. The lure is easy to see. But clearly gaming can’t satisfy these deep desires.

We just want our kids to win at sports! But often in the process, we ruin their fun and train them to despise our approach to life and worldview.  

I’ve been a high achiever all my life. I didn’t expect a kid with meltdowns, dismal spelling tests, embarrassing social skills. I had to get over myself.

Besides her obvious talent on the tennis court, Coco demonstrated what it looks like when parents teach that there’s more going on than just the game.

As a mom, I am guilty of saying no too often simply out of laziness. Even though saying yes would delight my kids, I let my selfishness get in the way.

When you’re picking out little baby outfits, you don’t anticipate someone telling you, years later, your teenager may have lymphoma.

The nations are in desperate need of the gospel. The" least of these" are hurting, hungry, thirsty, unclothed, and homeless. The solution? Not my teen!

As a kid, I identified with the boy in the song who wanted more of his Dad’s attention. 30 years later, I was the dad leaving my son wanting more.

I didn’t want to work hard to hand my paycheck over to cover his debt. I wanted to spend my money my way. He is the one who went to college and accrued it!

You can be intentional with your kids over the summer. Here are 3 ways (+ a printable) to help you pull off a meaningful summer.

I polled other women on ways to be a better wife. Because I never want to assume that I have all the right wife answers. Let's see if our husbands agree.

Requiring respect is a gift we give our kids (and ourselves!). But in a parenting age aiming to be gentler and more aware of kids’ emotions, it's not easy.

Eight months into their marriage, Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk live in separate houses much of the time. Friends say it's ideal. But what's up?

Unlike the advice of Teen Vogue that robs teenage girls of their value, true advocacy and social responsibility should be in God-glorifying ways.

I struggled with a lot of fear when it came to sex after baby! I avoided telling my husband that I was wrestling with a lack of desire for quite awhile.

When and how do you get back into physical intimacy with each other after a new baby? As the husband, I have learned 3 nonnegotiables for sex after baby.  

As the dad of a 13-year-old girl, when Teen Vogue moves from popping pimples to pushing pimps, I need to raise my hand and say, "I’m not for this.”

My son's first day of first grade introduction worksheet: What do you like to do with your friends? His answer, in wonderfully legible pencil: Chase girls.

Facing Father's Day as a single mom brings difficult questions.How can I help my kids on this day? What is expected of me? Am I required to honor him too?

Right now there’s a mom whose 18 summers are up with her child.18 sounded plenty when empty sippy cups scattered the backseat. Now 18 doesn't feel enough.

We asked kids what they think about their dads. Turns out, they think they’re pretty darn special.

I no longer felt anything for my husband. That thought terrified me--I don’t love him anymore. "Would I be happier with someone else?" I wondered.

The first two years of widowhood, God seemed distant and silent. Then I discovered the problem.

There is endless capacity for a loving relationship between a stepdad and his stepchildren.

When you must decide between siding with your child or your spouse in a blended family, choose your spouse.

Most men would swim through shark-infested waters rather than admit our failures and weaknesses.

Tickets to JoJo Siwa's sold out D.R.E.A.M. tour is all my eleven-year-old daughter wanted for her birthday. I was determined to find a way to take her.

The following list is a great way to start loving your wife in a way that makes her flourish. 

Another friend called to tell me his wife filed for divorce. He’s devastated, yet ready to move on. I listened and wondered what my divorcing friend needs.

You've detected trends that are leading your kids away from church in college. But, let's be honest. Kids do what they like. Why can't that be church?

When fear and anxiety threaten to take control of how I parent my children, I remind myself of four truths.

Changes in educational costs and in the job market should prompt teens and their parents to consider some great alternatives to college.

Spending the night with friends seems like a normal part of growing up. But my wife and I wonder: should we let our kids go to a sleepover?

My Pop-pop told stories. About how my Mom-mom fell in love with him. About the Marines. Later I found out there were some secrets he didn't recite.

Our Passport2Purity® weekend didn’t go anything like I had planned, but what came out of it was even better.

For 18 years, you have parented through a maze of joys, laughter, confusion, and even bruises. Now your child is a graduate. You have big changes ahead.

Here are some tips for engaging with and loving the singles around you well.

I have three sons. My oldest still wets the bed. My youngest says two words. They're just boys. How do I start this whole "man-thing"?

My kids need to see that their value isn’t tied to their grades or what school accepts them. I need to encourage them to follow God’s design and purpose for their lives and not insist they conform to a specific formula for success.

I wish I could speak to that fresh-faced, 22-year-old newlywed. She needed some of the wisdom that God has deposited in me over the last decade of marriage.

In the wake of porn and an affair, a pastor’s family is transformed

Facilitating a small group study enhances your own embracing of the material, your relationship with God, and your heart for ministering to others.

What happens when society redefines family?  Our teenagers are sorting through the wounds of a generation’s idea that family is whatever you want it to be.

High school wrestler Brendan Johnston explained, “I’m not really comfortable wrestling a girl." Is this a sign of his narrow-mindedness and ego? Or respect?

One woman says her upbringing was based in fear and shame because of the concept of sin. God was a megaphone in my head: “You’re bad, you’re bad!”

When my 6-year-old daughter with long, lanky legs called her thighs fat, I knew something had to change. I didn't know body image issues would come so early.

1 in 5 women have the higher sex drive. But when our husbands decline--or rarely initiate sex--it leaves us thinking, What's wrong with him? Or is it me?

Does anybody notice me? Am I pretty enough? Good enough? Ayesha Curry's open interview voiced concerns that most women aren't brave enough to express.

We give words of affirmation to someone shortly before or after their death. But why wait? Learn to speak life giving affirmations today.

Here are 10 ways to bless a hurting mom in your life.

In a first world country, our kids know that everything they could ever want to buy is accessible. How do we teach them the value of things and money?

Every day is Mother’s Day in our little household. Because you do so much. But I want this day to be a reminder of my commitment to you.

When dads share the household responsibilities, it’s a win-win for the family and a win-win for society. Bill Gates, tech guru, and wife Melinda proved it.

Following a Major League Baseball career, my husband's work led to a new demanding position. So, I came home to an empty house and had dinner alone again.

Here’s to our mothers. Thanks for letting us see you struggle, ask for help, and never give up on the ones you love.

For one couple, becoming foster parents happened in a really unexpected way.

I see you, single mom. I know you’re out there and  you may be struggling today on Mother's Day. You deserve this day the most.

While we might relate to the laundry list of women pressures, we have to be honest about why working moms and our husbands believe them.

“Trust your heart. Believe in you." Yet with the constant encouragement to pat ourselves on the back, the result isn’t all sunshine and cupcakes.

It's sobering hearing that your body will never carry a child. That because of infertility you’ll never know the kicks of a baby growing inside you.

This will be J. Lo's fourth and A-Rod's second marriage. What makes them think that this one will be the one that sticks? (We hope it does.)

There are benefits to abstaining from sex while engaged. Here are five reasons to say “I won’t” until you say “I do.”

Invest time in your marriage so your family will have a firm foundation.

Children this age are unique because they still invite participation and closeness with parents—an attitude that will be changing soon.

Adding a little tenderness to your marriage is easier than you think.

Attending FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember^® early in our marriage gave us the tools we needed to build a healthy and sustainable union.

You can make your home a place of peace and safety for you and your spouse and kids. Here are some ways to create the setting.

Marriage is a big deal. It makes sense to work through the hard questions together so you're equipped to keep the lifetime commitment you're about to make.

Is it ever okay to deny his advances? Everybody needs an occasional raincheck, right?

Does it really matter if preachers wear hip clothes or live expensive lifestyles?

I shudder at the times I’ve acted irritably toward my kids because I was still stressed from work. How do we come home as the loving parents we want to be?

Who is responsible for making ends meet when a new baby joins a family – the new parents, their employers, or the government?

Tiger Woods’ emotional grip on his son culminated a journey back from the sports-dead. We see a man experience professional victory and personal redemption.

For parents who have lost a child, nothing will ever be able to replace that baby. But sometimes out of sorrow is the gift of a “rainbow baby," the healthy baby who follows loss.

I’m hosting an Easter party. You should too. Use these menu ideas and activities for a fun, easy way to share the Easter season together.

Many parents fall into the well-meaning mishap of clearing an easy path for their kids, regardless of the cost. Have you?

How much should you tell your kids about the mistakes you've made in the past? Pastor Drew Hill believes parents should unveil some of the ugliness in our lives ... to show what God has done.

This guide will help you reflect on the days leading up to the Cross, Jesus' death, His burial, and the empty tomb. One Scripture. One brief reflection. Once a day, for 12 days.

She searched her home for something she could take to end the pain, instead, she found God’s protection.

Many married couples are putting off the decision on whether to have children ... and an increasing number choose to not have any.

Despite their decision to divorce, both of my parents made sacrifices along the way that kept my brother and me as their priorities.

Togetherness is virtually impossible if one or both spouses feel disgust toward each other.

Most kids on today’s campuses probably fall into the category of “bystander.” They know they should probably do something, but they don’t.

After we'd been married awhile, I realized I had gone from Dave's biggest cheerleader to his biggest critic.

The sex talk and gender conversations in your home don’t have to be big, awkward productions. But they do need to happen. The sooner the better.

Making responsible, though not always fun, parenting decisions pays dividends and yields goodness that lasts well beyond the moment.

Making memories, passing on our faith to the next generation, is what our moments are made of. I try to focus on fully living in every single one.

These parents wanted the best for their children. But is any college worth what those families are facing now?

Staycation or vacation? Either way spring break is a time to take advantage of for having fun and creating family memories.

As a single mom turned stepmom, I look to the church for help to heal. But it’s challenging to feel accepted in a place where my family isn’t reflected.

The pop music star is about to turn 30, and her list of life lessons beautifully blends heart with humor, plus practicality and purpose.

Meet Dave and Ann Wilson, the new cohosts of FamilyLife Today® who bring the authentic voice of a couple who has struggled greatly in their marriage—yet found hope and help in Christ.

One of the greatest lessons motherhood is teaching me is that I cannot do it alone. Baby showers remind us of the help we need from family and friends.

One day David and his wife, Meg, realized they wanted their family to see that the world is a more diverse place than what they were experiencing.

What’s a level-headed but vigilant parent to do with this information? Here are five ways to respond to the unsettling Momo Challenge.

How can the victim of sexual abuse trust the body of Christ again? How can we go back to any church body? Why should we even try?

Your sons have already heard about the owner of the New England Patriots charged with solicitation of prostitution. What will they hear from you?

What if our generation of moms decided to love the mom bods we’ve got? Motherhood puts a glow on any woman! It’s a look that’s well worth the wear.

Suffering from Alzheimer's, lifestyle guru B. Smith hardly seems to recognize the other woman now living in her home. Should we sympathize with her husband?

I am still legally married. But all the things that a marriage typically brings, especially in the world of parenting, do not exist in our marriage.

From a FamilyLife Today^® broadcast, a list of ideas to help your kids think missionally about life.

Toxic masculinity, the new term in vogue powering today’s cultural discussion, is concerning. The answer certainly cannot be vilifying masculinity.

Nap schedules, feedings, teething, separation anxiety, sickness, sports – when kids are young, it seems easier to stay home. Is going to church worth it?

At first I found the KonMari tidying method to be humorous. But my husband says it’s attractive to him when I clean and organize our home.

My kid's birthday party means I include and find commonalities with nearly total strangers. And it’s a really beautiful thing.

I always seemed to fail at this holiday until a game-changer idea took me from zero to hero.

People spend hours tweaking their digital persona in a search for significance. Yet is social media the best place to look?

Maintaining the marital bed isn’t always easy. Here are some ideas to help you keep your marriage strong by coming together often as husband and wife.

The core issue regarding sexual temptation is the condition of our hearts.

Moms today have enough on their plates without adding unnecessary drama to the list.

At the end of my life, I won’t be sad about what I couldn't afford. I’ll be thankful for the rich memories and lives we’ve built with our children.

I’ve always believed that’s what birth mothers really are—heroes.

Having grown up in the church, it came as a shock to me when my husband and I encountered difficulty consummating our marriage.

Our intentions to do good can also pull us away from the most important human relationship in our lives.

We cannot live redemptive lives and hate our neighbor. Diversity in relationships not only shows unity to the world but also builds in our own hearts a love for others.

We thought we knew it all, but the Weekend to Remember® marriage getaway gave us practical help that was built on a solid foundation of biblical truth.

The Gillette ad is just the latest in a series of negative narratives featuring men.

My limited experience has taught me to be vigilant in what I allow before my children’s eyes.

Setting goals is important to maintaining a healthy marriage. Here are a few ideas to help you stick to them.

Ideas to help you feel like you’re living in luxury without spending much money … or any at all.

In order for your teenagers to be able to make adult-level decisions, they need guidance. You can help them by asking good questions.

My kids need to grow up with the knowledge that I require a Savior just as much as they do.

Here are five reasons I wish my husband and I hadn’t moved in together before saying “I do.”

These basic principles will help you and your family understand the biblical reasons for tragedy.

Three ways I’ve helped my stepfamily grieve the deaths of both previous spouses.

From widow and single mother to second wife and stepmom, my soul suffered an identity crisis.

Ten ideas that helped (or would have helped) my family during our first blended year.

Divorce rates aren’t really as bad as the academics were implying.

Despite their differing marriage scenarios, my prayer for both the Bezos and Tebows is the same: a happy ending

After the unexpected death of our son, my wife and I learned that faith informs pain, but it doesn’t erase it.

When you look at our marriage you see unity, but you also see each one of us as a different and unique person.

I had no idea what being a wife meant other than we’d live together forever, hopefully have some kids, and file a joint tax return.

Exchanging one spouse for another isn’t as easy as returning the wrong pair of shoes. Choose wisely from the beginning and forget the return policy.

I finally realized that my children had all the father they needed; all I had to do was point them to God for their needs.

A new marriage requires learning different forms of affection, communication, traditions, and expectations.

My morning strolls did more than help me lose weight; they helped me learn valuable lessons about life.

Talking to my kids about shootings doesn’t come easily—how do I answer questions about things I don’t understand myself?

Jesus told us to love our neighbors as ourselves, but that requires first knowing who we are in Christ.

Strengthen bonds between kids and stepparents by going on a trip that doesn’t fit into the status quo.

It takes little energy, time, or even thought to take your bedroom romps from great to nonexistent.

The divine design of marriage calls us to something deeper—to God’s daily involvement. Because we can’t uphold our vows without Him.

When the world is telling you to blame your ex-spouse and embrace bitterness, you can work on turning your thoughts toward a peaceful working relationship.

Marriages are being transformed at Weekend to Remember® marriage getaways. Here are just a few of our favorite stories guests shared with us last year.

How do we treat ourselves well while also remembering that God cares more about our hearts? Can we keep our hearts pure but also enjoy fashion?

When we became parents, our entire universe shifted. What happened to the couple we were?

Forget perfume and diamonds … give your wife something that speaks to her heart.

My husband and I are raising our daughters to identify with who God designed them to be, embrace the characteristics He gave them, and develop confidence in the goodness of their Maker.

Three helpful hints I use to navigate the holidays in my blended family.

Here’s to giving your best to God—and your family—in the year ahead.

The real unexpected gift wasn’t the money or groceries, but an increase in our faith.

At Christmas, decisions for an adult child of divorce become especially difficult, with both parents vying for your loyalty and attention.

I want my own marriage to resemble the one our 41st president had with his late bride, Barbara.

You have the privilege of growing a child who knows the love of God personally and knows how to love people well.

What’s a family—one that desires to teach their kids the REAL meaning of Christmas—to do about St. Nick?

Is foster care messy? Of course. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

A break is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with your spouse and face the stress of the holidays together.

Here are a few ways to make spending during the holidays less stressful.

It takes diligence and commitment to remember that your spouse needs to know how much they mean to you on a daily basis.

Guilt doesn’t freshen us and give life—it suffocates us and takes more than we have to give.

When my youngest started preschool, I took my first job outside the home in nearly 10 years. I was frazzled, guilt-ridden, and late everywhere I went.

A mom’s guide to managing all that the holiday season throws her way.

Thanksgiving can be a difficult reminder of the struggles we face, but there is comfort in the promises to come.

Long after my husband and I are gone, I want our kids to still have each other.

Political leaders might have their own agendas, but those cannot thwart God’s.

Like so many, I groaned at the disparity: Perfect, hilarious TV family. Lurid, devastating real life.

We are completely dependent on our all-powerful God, who generously gives us every gift we possess.

The time we have with our children before they enter into adulthood is limited. We have a responsibility to use it well, with a heart of wisdom.

How do we find the holy balance of treating our bodies like temples, but not to the extent that we become health-obsessed this holiday season?

Teachable moments are opportunities for us to imprint God’s values on the next generation.

The award-winning artist's music inspired others to bask in God’s love, but he had to overcome shame and alcoholism to hear God’s love song to him.

I noted something refreshingly real about Princess Eugenie’s choice of gown. From the front, she showed she was a princess. From the back, she showed she was a person like the rest of us.

Consider mornings, mealtimes and bedtime as opportunities for making a heart connection with your child. And trust that God, in His sovereignty, will fill the gaps in between.

Pretty much everyone has an opinion on "mommy wine culture." Here's a few factors to consider if you're thinking about sipping a glass.

I want more for Drew Brees and his sons than just what they can earn. And Jesus offers more.

There’s no doubt that marrying my high school sweetheart benefited us for the better.

Of all the stories about raising six children we’ve told over the years, this is probably our favorite.

The popular television show tells us there is romance and redemption lying wait in our days, breathless not with passion, but with the hard work of love.

Sometimes, Grandpa and Grandma Warbucks create unintended challenges by “blessing the grandkids” with so many gifts.

The patterns I saw in my child’s behavior opened my eyes to the damage my phone had done.

I saw a hashtag on Twitter this week about why people who have been sexually abused might choose not to report it.

While my generation will associate Michelle Williams with suggestive song titles, the next generation might associate her with something entirely different—being a champion for the biblical model of marriage.

It’s not always practical to eat dinner as a family. The solution? Give yourself and your family some grace and cancel dinner tonight. 

And if there are really no tears, no heartache, and we can remain friends–is divorce really the most healing and whole option?

We advise against giving your children a phone if you are not ready to have a conversation with them about it multiple times a week for multiple years.

You might make sure to head to the doctor each year like clockwork, but when is the last time your marriage had a physical?

Instead of my husband abandoning us for the woods or holing up in a man cave glued to ESPN, we’ve made fall Saturdays family days.

You don’t have to look far in order to find advice for how you can improve your marriage. Articles are all over the internet about what you should say to sustain your spouse’s interest, the type of clothes you should wear to appear more attractive, and how you can be even more intimate with your partner.

Marriage is a relationship that will transform you, if you let it. Saying “I do” is only the beginning of a lifetime of laughter, frustration, forgiveness, happiness, and deep joy. It’s worth it.

What was the last negative statistic you heard about marriage? Most of us can quickly cite sources that point to the fact that half of all marriages end in divorce.

Kid-free trips either alone or with girlfriends is an idea I can get behind.

Spending an entire weekend learning how to communicate, grow in oneness, and love one another better was like hitting a reset to our busy lives.

There’s a secret that nobody likes to tell dating or engaged couples: Marriage is really hard.

Communication in marriage is not easy. But the fight to communicate is worth the work. In the end, you’ll find a thriving marriage rooted in oneness, not division.

Having divorced parents doesn’t mean your own marriage will also end in divorce. You are not destined to live out the same mistakes as your parents.

At the Weekend to Remember marriage retreat I found a profound sense of community. It reminded me of one simple fact: We are not alone.

Conflict over money and infidelity might be some of the most common reasons for getting a divorce in our society, but I’d argue that there’s a more common root to most separations:“I’m just not happy anymore.”

A few positive lessons from my guilty pleasure over the last few months.

Here are eight ways we can fight for, not against, our children in their hard-to-handle moments.

NBA star Blake Griffin may be able to afford a huge child support payment, but kids need more than that.

Ministering to this group can be instrumental in reaching everyone in the home.

My husband and I have learned much about putting our relationship into the hands of the Master Renovator.

Donna Reish wanted to make her father's seventieth birthday extra special.

Following is an example of a tribute.

In our crazy, fast-paced lives, it’s easy to be distracted from what is most important. Here are some ideas to make more time for the person you love most.

A list of questions to help you engage your teens about their beliefs on LGBT issues.

Five steps to prepare them to withstand peer pressure, stand with the truth, and display the love of Christ.

One simple concept will guide you into the relationship you always wanted to have.

Whatever problems may develop, my commitment is to do whatever it takes to help my parents, respect them, and honor them.

Brava, Miss America, for eliminating a bit of the external from the ideal. And let’s not stop there. What does it look like for each of us to disregard the bigger “swimsuit competition” far deeper within?

Our kids would only be half as awesome, half as cool, and half as strong without you. And quite frankly, so would I.

Use your position as a mother to inspire your children to honor their father this Father’s Day and over the years.

The school year is filled with other obligations, but the summer belongs to us.

Married couples who have sex regularly live longer, have better heart health, enjoy a deeper connection, and can let go of annoyances easier.

It’s not about how you feel most equipped to love her, but how she will feel the most loved.

This day was made for you—the tired and weary warrior mom who faithfully trudges on even when no one seems to notice.

FamilyLife’s first feature film, Like Arrows, is coming to a theater near you, but this week only!

Your blended family may have another river to cross and a few more battles to face, but don’t give up—significant rewards lie ahead.

Even though the legal rights of a stepparent over his or her stepchildren is limited, love is not limited.

God showed His love for us by bringing the outsider in, and that’s how Christians should love the “extended” members of stepfamilies.

FamilyLife's first film is meant to be a glimpse into a path that can take you deeper into parenting the heart of your children.

Helping a child understand this world is not our home.

A creative way to connect with couples early in their parenting journey and establish a loving, caring relationship.

God put inside every boy something that stirs him to be brave and protective.

Bob Lepine answers behind-the-scenes questions about the movie.

Everyone has a family. And every family has a story.

“FamilyLife is a ministry 'in spite of' rather than 'because of' ... God did not grow this ministry because of our hard work and brilliant ideas."

It’s easy to become cynical or weary about the act of prayer.

The purpose of your marriage is to reflect the fullness of God in an increasingly empty world.

Billy’s marriage to Ruth was a partnership that had a worldwide impact.

Sometimes a little creativity, maybe a few dollars, and a little foresight are all that's needed to make an unforgettable to say “Be mine, Valentine.”

Four suggestions on how to be nag free and make life easier for you and your family.

My journey of committing to praying with my wife for 30 days and the tips I learned along the way.

Restore your energy and zest for life with these tips.

Some wives don't understand how important respect is to a man. Here are some ideas for how a woman can give her spouse the esteem he longs for.

God has given us women the privilege and the ability to bring life to our husbands with our love.

A wife plays a pivotal role in her husband’s transition from boyhood into manhood.

For Hans and Star Molegraaf, their marriage wasn’t headed for disaster. It was already there.

Divorced parents should constantly evaluate themselves and ask if their behavior is helping or hurting their children.

If you view your kids as sinners who need salvation, you’ll see parenting as a rescue mission.

Having another mom who’s already been through both the calm and rough waters of your current stage in life can be a beautiful gift from God. Here are some suggestions for finding that kind of mentor.

We need to make a practice of tending fully to the love of our life for a few moments a day, every day.

Here’s a new way to think about leadership in your marriage.

Early in our marriage, these simple principles changed our hearts and transformed our relationship.

There is no way to avoid conflict in your marriage. The question is: How will you deal with it?

Are you looking for some new ideas to help your next wedding anniversary really stand out? Take steps now and begin planning a memorable celebration.

If you want to rekindle the romance in your marriage, you'll find it doesn't require a lot of money, and it often doesn't even take that much time.

I've spent a lifetime learning about how to satisfy my wife's romantic needs. That means meeting her physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Your spouse approaches intimacy much differently than you. Here are some things husbands and wives need to know about sex.

After you marry you have a duty before God to meet your spouse’s sexual needs. But sometimes healing and restoration must happen first.

As you study your wife and learn how to define romance according to her dictionary, you will become an irresistible man.

If you apply these concepts correctly, you'll experience freedom in your roles and work better as a team to combat isolation and conflict in your marriage.

I asked some girlfriends, “What should a wife stop doing if she wants to improve her marriage?” This list is based on their responses.

Growing up with my stepdad and younger brother I thought I knew a thing or two about men. While I knew not to change the channel during a football game, not to serve quiche for dinner, and not to attempt to fix a broken doorknob with a rubber band, there were a few important things […]

The only way you can experience true joy is by pursuing intimacy with Christ on a daily basis.

The counterfeit pleasure of an affair can never overcome the ways infidelity can destroy a life and marriage.

Four lessons from my journey of regaining trust in my husband.

Marriage is like a three-legged race; these suggestions will help you cross the finish line in first place.

Two ordinary couples who are helping change the world.

Here’s a practical way to revolutionize your relationship with your family. But it requires some risk.

Isolation can be defeated if you are willing to make the right choices to build oneness and intimacy.

Like the box top of a puzzle, God’s Word provides a necessary picture of what our lives are supposed to look like.

Our selfish nature distorts our view of life and marriage. But God has a different plan.

Women have the tendency to pursue secondary purposes over God's primary purpose.

Take a few minutes to evaluate how you can improve your marriage relationship.

The uncomplicated yet difficult path to oneness in marriage.

Parents often put their marriage relationship on the back burner. These four principles will help you balance working on your marriage while attempting to raise children.

Marriage is facing some big challenges today, but that doesn't mean we should replace it with something different.

A growing number of couples are choosing to avoid marriage altogether.

The real 'happily ever after'

We found that attending a Weekend to Remember® marriage getaway was a different experience at different points in our lives.

One the surface, this approach to marriage sounds reasonable, but in the end it won't work.

The uncomplicated yet difficult path to oneness in marriage.

What does it mean for followers of Christ to live in a culture that often defines marriage differently than the Bible does?

What started as a family reunion turned into a time of intense gratitude for the goodness of God in giving us the years my husband and I have had together

As a stepgrandparent, you can be an important and influential role in the family with a little grace and wisdom.

How a husband can best protect his wife from the evil that lurks in this world.

In these days it takes an intentional effort to arrive at marriage with optimal spiritual, relational, and emotional health.

When Ryan and Sarah were jolted by forces out of their control, they saw God transform the circumstances into good.

The story of two people who realized that commitment to one another is grounded in surrender to Jesus Christ.

A wedding is not the completion of engagement but the beginning of a new life.

When I asked my coworkers about how they got engaged, I discovered some proposals that put a smile on my face.

The second in a 3 part series.

October 2003 Editor’s Note: This is the final article in a three-part series.  You can read part one here and part two here. Our wedding day couldn’t have been more beautiful. The sun was shining, and the breeze was cool. My first waking moments were serene. “It’s my wedding day,” I thought as I enjoyed […]

If you want a truly "happily ever after" ending, you need to look for love the wise way

So you’re getting married! Congratulations! According to the latest research, if you are under the age of 30, there is a 58% chance that you are entering your marriage as a child of divorce. Do you fall into this category? If you’re wondering what on earth that has to do with the fact that you […]

Every day each partner in a marriage makes choices that result in oneness or in isolation.

Biological parents who find themselves caught between their spouse and their child should step out of the conflict as often as possible.

I like to use cooking as an analogy to identify some integration styles that stepfamilies attempt to utilize.

If you want a strong marriage, there comes a time to be honest about yourself.

How can we uphold what the Bible says about marital relationships and make good decisions about housework?

I wrote an article for The Family Room ezine called “She Hated Her Husband.” It was about Brian and Julie Moreau’s disintegrating relationship and the key role that a Weekend to Remember® marriage getaway played in saving their marriage. A skeptical reader posted this comment below the article: “If this story is really true maybe […]

Sex is an important part of remarriage, but a healthy sexual relationship doesn’t necessarily result in a healthy marriage.

New film tells the true story of Army Chaplain Darren Turner, who survived on the battlefield but almost lost his marriage in the process.

While the Bible doesn't apply our modern word "role" to marriage, the Scriptures are clear about the unique responsibilities God assigns to a wife.

Adolescence is a natural time of turmoil in nearly every family.

One of the most menacing dynamics attacking the health of a stepfamily is a destructive parent in the other home.

When you have a new marriage and blended family, it's important to build a respectful working relationship with your ex.

Be prepared to face loss as you celebrate the holidays.

If