One of the most rewarding things about being a parent is watching your kid grow from a child into an independent adult. But it can also be one of the hardest transitions. Every parent hopes their adult child will still want to call, still want to come home, and still choose to let them in….
When people think about what makes a relationship successful, their first instinct is to focus on the big things like communication, trust, commitment, honesty and shared values. But as a psychologist who studies couples, I’ve found that the happiest ones pay attention to the small moments that have a big impact every day. They create…
Building a trusting relationship is the goal for most couples. We all want to feel understood and connected to the person we’re building a life with. One of the biggest factors in making that happen is communication. As a clinical psychologist, I’ve seen that the happiest couples always take the time to show interest, check…
I’ve studied happiness for 15 years and interviewed thousands of people about what helps them thrive. The happiest people I speak to are also the most emotionally secure. Research shows that people with high emotional security have greater resilience, emotional well-being and relationship satisfaction over the course of their lives — all of which are…
Parents today try to raise their children for good grades, perfect behavior and high achievement. We want them to do well and be able to handle challenges in life. But research shows that confidence and resilience stem from a child’s ability to feel safe being fully themselves. In my work of studying over 200 kids,…
Many people assume emotional security means never feeling jealous, arguing or questioning where they stand. But couples in emotionally secure relationships can navigate discomfort without losing trust in each other. As a psychologist who studies couples — and as a husband — I’ve seen that emotionally secure partners consistently act in ways that reinforce safety,…
We know that raising emotionally intelligent kids sets them up for future success. The challenge is that many of us were never taught those skills ourselves. Growing up, many of us heard phrases like “stop crying,” “calm down,” or “be good.” Over time, those messages taught us to suppress feelings rather than understand them. As…
Habits shape how we work, how we manage stress, and how we relate to others. They determine whether we move closer to our goals, or repeat the same mistakes. The same is true in our romantic relationships. Our satisfaction, stability and sense of connection are directly related to the behaviors we default to every day. …
For years, bedtime was the most stressful part of my day. No matter how early we started or how carefully I planned, evenings always felt chaotic. I’ve heard the same story from many of the parents I’ve worked with, and it’s understandable. Bedtime is a major emotional transition that most of us were never taught…
Building a healthy romantic relationship takes time and intention. Over time, meaningful experiences, personal disclosures and authentic conversations create closeness and intimacy. To genuinely know someone, you must understand what matters to them — their likes and dislikes, passions, limits — and respecting those traits even when they differ from your own. In fact, many…
