Tag: SmartLoving
The Ecology of the Body
Since the publication of Humanae Vitae in 1968, fertility awareness has come a long way. Our nature-interested age is primed to make natural fertility normal again, write Francine and Byron Pirola.
We need to talk about “unplanned childlessness”
Our culture warns kids about unplanned pregnancies, but are we honest about the risk of delaying fertility? While a couple’s decisions and circumstances should be respected, having kids isn’t as simple as we wish, write Francine and Byron Pirola.
Our “Father-in-awe” cares more than even the most devoted of human...
With our second son preparing to marry in a few months, we’ve found ourselves reflecting on our in-law relationships. In particular, we noted how our parent and parent-in-law relationships differ.
When I am winning, WE are usually losing
In relationship arguments, “You can either be right, or you can be one, but you can’t be both.” Pride is the enemy of unity, and can keep ugly arguments going indefinitely, write Francine and Byron Pirola.
Seven years – but who’s counting?
Young men and women wanting to leave the “dating market” for marriage often find it hard to get a commitment. Yet so many couples’ solutions—like cohabitation—actually make progressing to marriage more difficult, write Francine and Byron Pirola.
Relational Entropy and what to do about it
So many marriages break down, not from conflict but because they just drift apart. We mistakenly think marriages don’t take energy because our love felt so effortless at the beginning—but like all things, relationships are subject to entropy.
Attached, for better or worse
Incorporating insights from neuroplasticity, genetics and parental nurturing experiences, Attachment Theory illuminates underlying causes of disruptive relationship behaviours in marriage.
Is divorce contagion really a thing?
The no-fault divorce introduced in Australia in 1975 quickly morphed from a well-intentioned policy into a toxic and highly contagious force. But we can also use the power of social contagion to strengthen our marriages.
Francine and Byron Pirola: Are we outliving marriage?
There are many common factors leading to divorce, the fact we are living longer isn’t one of them. Here’s why.
Are private wedding vows a good idea, or not?
A new trend for “private vows” at weddings is taking off for people wanting a more intimate ceremony. Understanding why we make vows can help us understand why they’re not necessarily the way to go for Catholics, write Francine and Byron Pirola
The passion, death, and resurrection of marriage
No marriage stays the same—we all go through periods of passion, death, resurrection and recreation. It’s not easy, but there are three things we can do to stay on track as our marriages transform, write Francine and Byron Pirola.
Relationship repair always has two sides
Periods of disconnection are an unfortunate part of every marriage. Relationship Repair takes both an initiator and receiver.
