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As we approach the holidays, family communication will become more and more prevalent. Often times, it can be difficult to have meaningful conversations. Susan Yates shares six steps to have significant conversations with family and how to raise great conversationalists.

Dear CMR,

"Recently, I've had to deal with an individual that is difficult, manipulative, and often downright mean. This relationship can be agonizing at times, but shouldn't I turn the other cheek? Isn't that how we're supposed to deal with challenging people?"

Signed,

Turning the Other Cheek

Marriages go through different stages and seasons. While at times these can be challenging and difficult, there is a path towards growth and fulfillment. Bestselling author and international speaker Jackie Bledsoe shares a model for a lasting and fulfilling marriage based on his book, The 7 Rings of Marriage.

Dear CMR,

My boyfriend and I started dating in February before quarantine. It was lots of fun, so we started doing long distance when COVID hit. We’ve been doing long distance a while now, but he says he's lost energy for the relationship and isn't sure if he wants to continue. Right now we're on a break so we can take a breather, pray about it and think it through. Do you have any advice about “relational burn out” or if this might be a point where we call it off?

Signed,

Long Distance Burnout

We were made for connection and communication. In order for connection to happen, we must learn to listen. In this blog, Dorothy Greco shares how purposeful listening leads to meaningful interactions and intentional communication.

Dear CMR,

I have been dating my girlfriend for five years, and I’m getting ready to propose. She has taken out loans to pay for grad school, but I have a nest egg I can use to pay them off now. If we are getting married in 1.5 years, should I pay off her school loan now or wait until we are married?

Signed,

Avoiding Debt

We were made to be in relationship with others. As this challenging season of quarantine seems to drag on, Willa Williams shares how we can seek others and shares the power and hope that can be found in connecting with others.

Dear CMR:

I’m the father of a 3-year-old. Neither my wife nor I ever get enough sleep. When our daughter wakes us up in the morning, I try to quietly get her out of the bedroom so my wife can keep sleeping. More often than not, however, my wife spends this time on her phone emailing, texting, and reading news and social media posts. This bugs me. The way I look at it, if one of us can get a little extra sleep, that helps us both. I’m willing to handle the morning routine solo to make that happen. I’m not, however, willing to do it so my wife can get caught up on her work and social life while I fall further behind on mine. But if a gift is a gift—I’m not supposed to say how it gets used, right? Do I have a right to be annoyed here?

—Rather Be Snoozing