No marriage? No kids? We’re heading toward a “postfamilial” era, according to recent studies and The Daily Beast’s “Where Have All the Babies Gone?,” wherein woman are more likely to be seen as queens of eternal singledom and less as “wombs with legs” as one 30-year-old female put it. Staggering statistics show the fertility rate is the lowest it has been since first recorded in 1920 – and many are blaming the economy. That makes sense, but can you see yourself in a world sans familia? Depressing, much.
Read on for more info on how not having children could harm our economy, plus more, from The Daily Beast: http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2013/02/18/why-the-choice-to-be-childless-is-bad-for-america.html
Don’t pop the bubbly just yet. The first year of marriage, compared to the high of wedding planning, may seem difficult, if not slightly depressing. Cheer up, young bucks and honeymooners, and take solace in the fact that you’re not alone. Recent studies show that newlyweds are less happy in their first year than couples who have been married for 40 or more years.
Let’s just hope marriage doesn’t have a terrible 2′s phase.
Read all the details from the study in this Huffington Post Weddings piece, “Honeymoon Phase Is A Myth, Study Finds.”
Lots of <3,
Allison
Relationships hit snags all the time. If you’re in it for the long haul (til death do you part, ah-hem), you can expect some turbulent times. The next time you hit rough waters, try asking yourself these “4 Questions Resilient Couples Ask” put forth by The Huffington Post’s Paula Davis-Laack (link below). Sometimes all it takes is stepping back and pondering things from a new angle. A quote I particularly love:
“Make a conscious effort to remain clear, confident and controlled the next time you get into a disagreement. Greet your partner with a hug and a big smile at the end of the work day. Focus instead on what you can control, influence or leverage.”
Read the four questions here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paula-davislaack/relationship-advice_b_1959223.html
Lots of <3,
Allison
Raise your hand if you’ve ever thought you could change a guy. Yep, all of us are guilty of it at some point or another. In “8 Insights to Keep Love Alive in Intimate Relationships,” Psych Central delivers a tip worth pondering: maybe you’re the one who needs changing? Read on for more valuable insights, including advice that you should give more love when you want more love (bingo!), here: http://blogs.psychcentral.com/parenting-tips/2012/07/8-insights-to-keep-love-alive-in-intimate-relationships/
It’s time to put some more thought into our relationships!
Lots of <3,
Allison
p.s. – I am overjoyed that Jef won the Bachelorette and will promptly begin my withdrawal phase from the show.
You wouldn’t rather be with anyone else, but taking time apart from your spouse could be key to longevity. According to a study by psychologist Terri Orbuch written up in The Wall Street Journal’s “Need Space in a Relationship? Just Don’t Say It That Way? “ , 29 percent of couples said they needed more “me” time (373 married couples were surveyed over 25 years). Women found it more difficult than men to find solo sanctuary; namely due to responsibilities taking care of children, elders, or seeing friends.
Also striking: Of those couples who found themselves “unhappy” in their relationships, not enough alone time beat out an unsatisfactory sex life!
Keep up the sex and then one of you PLEASE get out of the bedroom.
Lots of <3,
Allison