Archives for time

Date Night Ideas

October 6, 2014 by admin in Relationships, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

loveanddateDo you have a date night but are getting bored with dinner and a movie?  Here are some fun ideas to keep you in connection with each other.

  • Go to an arcade or boardwalk and play those games with each other that you haven’t played since you were dating: skee ball, air hockey, PacMan.
  • On a map of a state or country you’ve lived or traveled, highlight all the towns and sites you visited together.  Bring your map to a coffee house and reminisce together.
  • After the kids have gone to bed, dust off photo albums containing pictures of when your relationship first began.  Spread a blanket on the living room floor and pour over them.
  • Keep affection alive in your marriage by making time for non-sexual touch: a back massage, foot massage, cuddling, or holding hands in public.
  • Hire a chef to come to your home, cook a full meal, serve it to you, and do all the cleanup.  Enjoy time with each other and not have to lift a finger or drive home.
  • Listen to music from your teenage years or download a routine from your favorite comedian and go parking at a scenic spot.

Maintaining a happy, healthy, long-term relationship can be so difficult with all the pressures and challenges in today’s fast-paced world.  Maybe you’ve tried counseling before with little to no results.  Maybe you ended up more frustrated or things improved a little, but only temporarily.  The therapists at Couples Therapy Center of NJ can help.   We’re all specialists in the area of intimate relationships.  We can give you the support, new perspective, and tools you need to have more love and excitement in your relationship. Can’t get your partner to come in with you?  No problem!  We see individuals, too. Call us at 908-246-3074 or email getsuppport@couplestherapycenterofnj.com now to schedule your appointment.  Don’t wait any longer.  Start making positive changes today.

Different From Your Partner? How This Can Be A Strength Rather Than A Problem

November 9, 2011 by admin in Relationships | Leave a comment

Do you sometimes wish your partner acted, thought, or did things more like you?  Instead of being frustrated by your differences, it would be a better use of your time and energy to acknowledge your partner’s strengths and find ways they can benefit your relationship.

Everyone has areas of natural talent and areas where they are weaker.  However, our society mistakenly emphasizes that we need to excel in most areas, be “well-rounded” or – at the very least – competent at most things.  But since humans are meant to be in relationships with others, we really don’t have to be good at everything, or even good at most things.  As humans, we’ve always lived in communities.  We are interdependent: connected with and relying on one another.  Instead of trying so hard to be good at everything, we should focus on using our own strengths in conjunction with our partner’s. Read More

Focus On Family: Children Need Affection

October 18, 2011 by admin in Family | Leave a comment

We love our children deeply, in a way that is difficult to measure.  Much of our time is spent caring for them, thinking of them, teaching them, and helping them grow.  Since we invest so much of our time, thoughts and caring in our children, most parents would probably say, “Of course my child knows I love him/her.”  But how often do we really express our love and affection to our children?

This month, I’ll focus on one important way of expressing love for our children: appropriate physical affection.

A parent can show affection to their child in many ways, including Read More

Finding Holiday Happiness: How To Cope with Feelings of Lonliness and Sorrow

September 23, 2011 by admin in Holidays | Leave a comment

Everywhere we go we are bombarded with advertising and store merchandising in celebration of the holidays.  Images of being surrounded warmly by friends and family abound.  While these images paint a beautiful picture of joy and the holiday spirit, the reality is that some people feel happy, while others do not.  Many people feel loneliness and grief for their losses during the holiday season.  Although there is no media blitz shouting it to the world, it is actually quite common to feel sadness this time of year.  And denying that you truly feel this way may actually increase your feelings of sadness or inadequacy.  For some, trying to avoid these feelings causes depression, anxiety, stress or illness.  Others, in response to the massive marketing campaigns with jingling bells and falling snow, try to avoid feelings of loneliness by overcompensating with abundant or expensive gifts. Read More

Date Night Ideas

August 18, 2011 by admin in Relationships | Leave a comment

Do you have a date night but are getting bored with dinner and a movie?  Here are some fun ideas to keep you in connection with each other.

  • Go to an arcade or boardwalk and play those games with each other that you haven’t played since you were dating: skee ball, air hockey, PacMan.
  • On a map of a state or country you’ve lived or traveled, highlight all the towns and sites you visited together.  Bring your map to a coffee house and reminisce together. Read More

The Transformational Power of Love?

January 9, 2011 by admin in Emotions | Leave a comment

Power of LoveThis time of year, we are hearing so much about New Year’s Resolutions.  The idea of starting new habits in January is all over magazines and TV.  Naturally, we think about doing things differently going forward.  We can have the best intentions, yet, ever wonder why people resolve to make a change and the change only lasts a short time?  Has this happened to you and then did you criticize yourself for not having stronger willpower?  If so, you may be surprised to learn that change is not about willpower and toughing it out.  Lasting change happens when we’re in a loving relationship. This is the transformational power of love. Read More

Focus on Family: New Habit For The New School Year

September 11, 2010 by admin in Family | Leave a comment

Focus on FamilyEach new school year brings with it a fresh start for you and your family.  I would like you to consider a habit that will have a positive effect on your child’s success; eat dinner as a family most nights of the week.  This simple act of sharing a meal brings countless rewards for children.  It builds relationships within your family and builds your child’s self-esteem. These two ingredients make for a child who is successful academically, socially, and physically. Read More