How does your credit score affect your mortgage interest (christian marriages) rate?

November 16th, 2008 admin Posted in relationships No Comments »

By Dr. Jennifer Baxt, DMFT, NCC, DCC

  When most couples get married, there are few negative thoughts that will enter their minds; least of all is substance abuse. Most believe that when they get married, they will generally have a good marriage. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and many marriages will suffer difficulties, including problems with substance abuse. People change over time, so it is not always something that can be predicted, but it can happen. Stresses build, life becomes darker and this is where substance abuse can enter. It may not be noticed at first, but it will be when it becomes a full addiction that changes the husbands or wifes behavior, attitude and personality. When this does happen, it can leave the spouse without the addiction unsure of what to do next.

Can they help their partner? Should they leave or would that be wrong? How much is too much to put up with? They love this person, they care for them, but they dont think they can keep going through it; would it be selfish to leave the spouse who refuses to change and live their own life? These are just four examples of the many questions that enter ones mind. There is also the fear that can play into the situation, depending on what they feel they have to lose if they leave their addicted spouse. The fear involved can also depend on how verbally and/or physically abusive the spouse with the addiction can be. There is also the concern of the children, if there are any, especially if they are younger children under the age of twelve because they are incredibly impressionable during their younger years.

Dealing with such a situation is extremely stressful and draining. It is not one that anyone wants to experience, but many do around the world every day. At first, many will try and help their husband or wife fight their addiction; sometimes they are successful, other times they are not. Many will live in the situation for many years, while some will leave after a short time. It all depends on how long someone wants to, and can, try and put up with the situation and make the marriage work.

Going through such an experience is not only unnerving; it is confusing, frustrating and painful. It can make the victim feel very alone in the world and at a loss of what to do. Time stops for them and they are suddenly not living at all, just going through the motions every day, walking on eggshells and hoping that things will get better. What many dont realize, is that there is someone they can talk to. They even have access to an online counselor if they did a quick search online for online counselors. Online therapists are there to talk with anyone who asks for their help. They will work with the patient and help to guide them through their difficulties. Online therapy can be extremely beneficial to anyone who needs to find some direction in their life and decide on what they should do, because it can help them take some time out and seek out what they truly feel they should do.

Jennifer Baxt, works with people who are having trouble with their credit and want to improve their score. We offer solutions to credit problems by removing negative items from credit reports. You can visit our website http://www.creditrepairbydrjen.com for more information.

How to Free Your Partner and Why is it So Difficult?
By Vicka Tanski

  In every relationship there are permitted and forbidden things. Sometimes we decide what are that things together with our partner and sometimes just in our mind.

How do we decide where the edge is and how much we can free our lover?

It depends on how much we love OURSELVES. It’s not a mistake, I really mean us. There is no connection to how much we love our partner.

The real reason to difficulty to free is FEAR:

1) We are afraid that our lover will enjoy the freedom and all the things that he meet there and will not want any more to come back to us.

2) When he/she enjoy someone very attractive from the opposite gender, it can be difficult because all we’ll see: I’m not good enough, or beautiful enough.

3) When we believe that we are not whole and not completed, we will want our partner to fill that lack. We will try to keep them close, because if they go we will have to face that hole inside, that lack of self love. And it can be painful.

But think, do you really want to be with someone, who stays with you only because he has no choice? Or
with one who is with you because he wants to?

Do you think that anything someone does can really heart you? It can’t even touch you!

All your feelings are just a reaction to judgment of the situation, to your thoughts. The reaction to the stories you are telling to yourself about what is happening. Stop to believe to that stupid stories and the suffering will disappear.

When you realize that all you are afraid of is unreal, that it’s only in your mind, there will not be any problem to free your partner. It’s absolutely his own business what he has in his life except you. Just as it’s your business what you are doing with yourself and with your life.

Be one with another to celebrate, not to run away from yourself. When the relationship comes from the right place, there is no problem to free one another. You don’t depend on anyone to feel great.

To get more practical tips on living in spiritual, mental and financial freedom, sign up to my newsletter here: http://www.The-Way-to-Freedom.com/?ref=jshtfy3

To your freedom,
Vicka Tanski.

Three Ideas That Will Get You Started When You Have to Hold a Difficult Conversation
By maureen collins

  Talking is easy when people see the world in much the same way, when they know they can trust each other, when they have the best interests of each other at heart and when there is time to agree on exactly what has happened. It is all the other times that are the problem: when there is disagreement, when people have hidden agendas, when you are feeling accused or threatened, when you have been deceived or let down previously, and when the stakes are high.

Difficult conversations are unavoidable at times. As managers, we dread performance appraisal discussions with people who are not performing, but who are defensive at the least suggestion of feedback. As employees, we dread feedback from managers who give it loudly, in voices dripping with sarcasm, in front of our colleagues. We face difficult conversations with friends, neighbours and in personal and family relationships. And then there is the conversation we keep putting off with the colleague in the open plan office whose personal hygiene is suspect to say the least!

It is not difficult to see why people try to avoid these conversations. There are many strategies that we turn to. We retreat to the TV, hide behind a newspaper or become absorbed in a book. We deflect enquiry, freezing out friends and partners with the classic, No, no, I am fine, really! Then, knowing that attack is the best form of defense, we blame, accuse and exaggerate when we can hold our feelings in no longer.

When we do not speak up about things that concern us, the issues remain unresolved, relationships disintegrate, and we end up talking less and less. But it is surprising how little it takes to make the difference between a conversation that sounds like a street fight and a calm discussion of the issue that leads to agreement on a solution.

Start with three ideas.

First, take the age old advice to think before you speak and plan what you will say BEFORE you open the conversation. Count to 10. While you are counting, look at the situation from the perspective of the other person. While you may think that they are the cause of the problem, it is quite likely they feel just as strongly that you are the cause of the problem! There are always at least two sides to a problem. If you try to see sides other than your own, you are less likely to come across as arrogant, accusing and pushy.

Then focus on the facts. What exactly happened? Who said what? When? How? Where? Describe the events as clearly and precisely as you can. Try to separate the facts from your own opinions and how you feel about the situation. If you put the facts forward clearly, you allow people to hold different views of them, without having to challenge the facts themselves.

Thirdly, put a label on how you feel. Are you disappointed, embarrassed, uncertain, apprehensive, confused, hurt? Think how you can explain your feelings without accusing anyone of causing them. The difference between, I was embarrassed, and, You embarrassed me, is the accusation in the second statement that will come across loud and clear. You can be sure that if the person you are speaking to feels accused they will start to defend themselves, and the conversation will be all downhill from that point.

Start with these ideas and see what a difference they can make to your conversations and to your relationships with the people around you.

Maureen Collins has a B.Sc. degree in Psychology from Edinburgh University and over 25 years of consulting experience. She specialises in communication skills in the business world. In Straight Talk, she trains people how to handle difficult conversations, on difficult topics, with difficult people.

Get free Straight Talk Tips.

http://www.straight-talk.co.za

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How does your credit score affect your mortgage (christian wedding history) interest rate?

November 16th, 2008 admin Posted in relationships No Comments »

By Dr. Jennifer Baxt, DMFT, NCC, DCC

  When most couples get married, there are few negative thoughts that will enter their minds; least of all is substance abuse. Most believe that when they get married, they will generally have a good marriage. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and many marriages will suffer difficulties, including problems with substance abuse. People change over time, so it is not always something that can be predicted, but it can happen. Stresses build, life becomes darker and this is where substance abuse can enter. It may not be noticed at first, but it will be when it becomes a full addiction that changes the husbands or wifes behavior, attitude and personality. When this does happen, it can leave the spouse without the addiction unsure of what to do next.

Can they help their partner? Should they leave or would that be wrong? How much is too much to put up with? They love this person, they care for them, but they dont think they can keep going through it; would it be selfish to leave the spouse who refuses to change and live their own life? These are just four examples of the many questions that enter ones mind. There is also the fear that can play into the situation, depending on what they feel they have to lose if they leave their addicted spouse. The fear involved can also depend on how verbally and/or physically abusive the spouse with the addiction can be. There is also the concern of the children, if there are any, especially if they are younger children under the age of twelve because they are incredibly impressionable during their younger years.

Dealing with such a situation is extremely stressful and draining. It is not one that anyone wants to experience, but many do around the world every day. At first, many will try and help their husband or wife fight their addiction; sometimes they are successful, other times they are not. Many will live in the situation for many years, while some will leave after a short time. It all depends on how long someone wants to, and can, try and put up with the situation and make the marriage work.

Going through such an experience is not only unnerving; it is confusing, frustrating and painful. It can make the victim feel very alone in the world and at a loss of what to do. Time stops for them and they are suddenly not living at all, just going through the motions every day, walking on eggshells and hoping that things will get better. What many dont realize, is that there is someone they can talk to. They even have access to an online counselor if they did a quick search online for online counselors. Online therapists are there to talk with anyone who asks for their help. They will work with the patient and help to guide them through their difficulties. Online therapy can be extremely beneficial to anyone who needs to find some direction in their life and decide on what they should do, because it can help them take some time out and seek out what they truly feel they should do.

Jennifer Baxt, works with people who are having trouble with their credit and want to improve their score. We offer solutions to credit problems by removing negative items from credit reports. You can visit our website http://www.creditrepairbydrjen.com for more information.

How do children deal with their parent’s substance abuse?
By Dr. Jennifer Baxt, DMFT, NCC, DCC

  Children of parents who have a problem with substance abuse are all affected differently, depending on how old they are, how their parents behave with their addiction and how the children react to any abuse and stress they experience. Some children will become withdrawn, while others may become extremely independent and extroverted. Some children may even follow the behaviors of their parent or parents and develop an addiction, though not necessarily the same addiction.

Regardless of what the abuse is, children are thrown into an unstable, chaotic and unpredictable environment that can leave a child feeling at a complete loss of what to do. They are torn between their feelings of love and the frustration for their parents. They never know what to expect and are constantly uncertain as to what they can do to improve the situation at home. Some children will feel that they are the cause of their parents addiction, either because their parent has told them they are or they feel that bad behavior and / or poor marks on their part is the main cause of the problem. Children, especially younger children, do not quite understand what is going on, so when they feel they might be the cause, they fully believe they can possibly change their parents behavior by altering their own. Fear plays into these situations as well, especially if the parent is mentally and physically abusive. All these emotions together can be overwhelming for the child and they can be traumatized by such events well into their future. In fact, many may even grow up to have poor relationships of their own because they are unable to trust and are afraid they might be victimized by such a situation again.

Too many children grow up in such situations without getting the help that they need. Some will eventually seek help from a therapist, others may be too embarrassed to book an appointment and many will not even realize that they can get help after they have left the situation. With the internet becoming such a popular and easy tool these days, more counselors and patients alike are taking advantage of the internet as a way to reach out and communicate. Online counseling is accessible to anyone, including children, who can gain access to the internet. Children, or the parents of children, can easily access online counseling sites from their home or cyber cafe to communicate with an online counselor in regards to their current or previous situation. The online therapist will work with the children of such situations to help them deal with them so that they can move on and develop decent lives. Online therapy can help children to better understand what they are going through and learn different ways of working their way through it. The online therapy can also help the children to help themselves move forward, leave their past behind and work towards a better life for their self. Getting help for children in these kinds of situations can be crucial, because they are at a point in their lives where they are still learning and developing. Without help, they could have a more difficult time in their adult life.

Jennifer Baxt is the owner of CompleteCounselingSolutions.com which offers a variety of online counseling services. If you would like to know more about Jennifer or any of our online therapists, visit our website.

Three Ideas That Will Get You Started When You Have to Hold a Difficult Conversation
By maureen collins

  Talking is easy when people see the world in much the same way, when they know they can trust each other, when they have the best interests of each other at heart and when there is time to agree on exactly what has happened. It is all the other times that are the problem: when there is disagreement, when people have hidden agendas, when you are feeling accused or threatened, when you have been deceived or let down previously, and when the stakes are high.

Difficult conversations are unavoidable at times. As managers, we dread performance appraisal discussions with people who are not performing, but who are defensive at the least suggestion of feedback. As employees, we dread feedback from managers who give it loudly, in voices dripping with sarcasm, in front of our colleagues. We face difficult conversations with friends, neighbours and in personal and family relationships. And then there is the conversation we keep putting off with the colleague in the open plan office whose personal hygiene is suspect to say the least!

It is not difficult to see why people try to avoid these conversations. There are many strategies that we turn to. We retreat to the TV, hide behind a newspaper or become absorbed in a book. We deflect enquiry, freezing out friends and partners with the classic, No, no, I am fine, really! Then, knowing that attack is the best form of defense, we blame, accuse and exaggerate when we can hold our feelings in no longer.

When we do not speak up about things that concern us, the issues remain unresolved, relationships disintegrate, and we end up talking less and less. But it is surprising how little it takes to make the difference between a conversation that sounds like a street fight and a calm discussion of the issue that leads to agreement on a solution.

Start with three ideas.

First, take the age old advice to think before you speak and plan what you will say BEFORE you open the conversation. Count to 10. While you are counting, look at the situation from the perspective of the other person. While you may think that they are the cause of the problem, it is quite likely they feel just as strongly that you are the cause of the problem! There are always at least two sides to a problem. If you try to see sides other than your own, you are less likely to come across as arrogant, accusing and pushy.

Then focus on the facts. What exactly happened? Who said what? When? How? Where? Describe the events as clearly and precisely as you can. Try to separate the facts from your own opinions and how you feel about the situation. If you put the facts forward clearly, you allow people to hold different views of them, without having to challenge the facts themselves.

Thirdly, put a label on how you feel. Are you disappointed, embarrassed, uncertain, apprehensive, confused, hurt? Think how you can explain your feelings without accusing anyone of causing them. The difference between, I was embarrassed, and, You embarrassed me, is the accusation in the second statement that will come across loud and clear. You can be sure that if the person you are speaking to feels accused they will start to defend themselves, and the conversation will be all downhill from that point.

Start with these ideas and see what a difference they can make to your conversations and to your relationships with the people around you.

Maureen Collins has a B.Sc. degree in Psychology from Edinburgh University and over 25 years of consulting experience. She specialises in communication skills in the business world. In Straight Talk, she trains people how to handle difficult conversations, on difficult topics, with difficult people.

Get free Straight Talk Tips.

http://www.straight-talk.co.za

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What do you do when your spouse goes (christian weddings) to jail?

November 16th, 2008 admin Posted in relationships No Comments »

By Dr. Jennifer Baxt, DMFT, NCC, DCC

  Despite what anyones view of marriage may be, it takes work and commitment to make marriage work. If one is not ready to accept they might have to be strong and fight their way through some real hardships, marriage might not be a good idea. This is not to say that all marriages were made without careful thought, there are many who do go into marriage cautiously and truly believe that they will do their best to stand beside their partner for better or for worse.

There are many predictions one can make about where their marriage might go, though having their spouse go to jail might not be one that most will think about. It all depends on the person one marries. Not everyone who goes to jail is a horrible human being, many just make mistakes in their life and jail, unfortunately, is where their mistake will lead them. It is not an easy situation for one to have their spouse go to jail. Not only can it be shocking and hard to take at first, it can be extremely upsetting for both, and time spent being apart for a long period of time can put an incredible strain on any relationship. Whether or not the marriage will live through such an event will depend on many things, including the financial situation at home, the social status of the one at home, what kind of crime the one in jail committed and how committed the couple is to making their marriage work through the time apart. It is, of course, not always an easy choice, especially if the one jailed is being put away for many years, instead of just a year or two. Many marriages have made it through, regardless of the length of time and the stress endured, though many have failed as well.

As mentioned before, one spouse going to jail can be stressful to both parties, especially if they are quite attached. Both may want the marriage to work, but there are those left behind who feel that since their spouse is going to jail for so long they dont want to wait. Instead, they feel they want to live some life while their partner is away, maybe even getting a divorce. A lot of guilt and frustration can build and overwhelm a person until they are not sure what they want to do, or even how to carry on with their lives while they wait for their loved one to come home. In a situation like this, online counseling might be a good idea. All one has to do is go online a do a quick search for an online counselor. An online therapist would be more than happy to provide some support and help for anyone dealing with the difficulties of having their partner in jail, regardless of how long they are serving time for. Online therapy could be a good way to vent and to deal with the overwhelming emotions. It can be a great way to help organize ones thoughts and decide on what they want to do.

Jennifer Baxt is the owner of CompleteCounselingSolutions.com which offers a variety of online counseling services. If you would like to know more about Jennifer or any of our online therapists, visit our website.

If Youre Not Using Online Dating, You May Hate Yourself Later
By JohnJames

  There are several online dating services available. You need to make the right choice of online dating services to get what you are looking for. To get the best of online dating services, sign up with a paid subscription service. But if you don’t want to, there are now very good online dating services that are completely free. Yes, many are excellent, except they put ads on their pages.

If you are worried about being found out by close friends and relatives about your online dating passion, don’t be because your identity can be kept hidden by the online dating website you are patronizing. One of the reasons why many people love online dating is because of the sense of anonymity it gives them. No one will know you are dating someone online, unless you tell them.

Most Christians patronize Christian online dating websites in a bid to find someone of like faith and beliefs to talk to. It can be extremely frustrating to date someone who does not share your Christian values online. Christian online dating websites offer Christians the perfect opportunity to be among their kind.

Online dating enables you to study a prospective date for as long as you want. You need to be sure about the kind the person that you are getting involved with. Also, online dating provides you with that time to know the person, without any undue pressure that you would feel when dating someone next door. You can spend months getting to know your online date very well, before delving into a more serious relationship.

LoversPlanet.com is one of the several qualitative online dating websites that are available on the internet. With websites such as True.com’, and Yahoo personals’, you can date anybody from any part of the world. There are some websites that are restricted to countries and allow only country citizens to sign up for online dating services.

You can find an online dating website that caters to people of a specific age. Dating sites for middle aged people can be easily found if you are around that age or are interested in dating people around that age. Online dating sites are available that cater to teenagers and young adults too.

If you are naturally a computer person, online dating may seem attractive to you. People who love browsing the internet and checking up their mails make perfect candidates for online dating. With online dating, you have a world of options that will make your sojourn exciting.

The pace of dating in an online scene is dictated by you. You don’t have to be under pressure in an online dating scene. In an online dating scene, you call the shots and decide what and who you want to date.

This expert author provides insightful information about African American Christian Online Dating , or even Free Adult Online Dating And Sex on the site –> http://www.onlinedatinghut.com

Do you understand your FICO score?
By Dr. Jennifer Baxt, DMFT, NCC, DCC

  Nothing has a bigger effect on whether or not you can get a loan, how much interest you pay and how credit will affect your life, than the FICO score. Fair Isaac Credit Organization (FICO) is the leading credit report company in the United States, and the number they assign your credit dictates your future.

The scores range between 300 and 850. The lower the number you have, the worse your credit is. If you have a score of 300, your credit is classified as completely abysmal. There is no way you can get any type of credit, and even if you somehow did, your interest rate would be so high you could never afford to pay it back.

However, on the flip side if you have a credit score of 850, then you would have no problem at all getting credit. Your credit rating would allow you to have a lower interest rate, easier terms for your loan and you will have to put up much less collateral.

The reason that FICO is used so extensively is that it uses a system that takes into consideration much of your credit history so that companies can quickly and easily see where you lie compared with everyone else. If you have a score of 700, then you are just above average and companies will be more inclined to giving you credit. However, if you have a score of 500, then you are 150 points below the average and you will be unlikely to get the loan, or the loan terms that you had been hoping for.

Understanding how your FICO score is determined will give you a much better chance of repairing your credit. FICO places 30 percent of an emphasis on the amount of money you owe. This also takes into account your outstanding debt, including your mortgage, credit cards and auto loans. The length of your credit history has a 15 percent stake on your FICO report. The longer you have been using credit, the better the FICO score will be.

Ten percent of the value of your FICO score is put on the loans you have had and the mix of your credit. If you have had car loans, credit cards and mortgages, then your credit score will be better. Another ten percent of the score looks at whether or not you have sought credit in the past year. The more credit you try and get, the lower your score will be. Lastly, a full 35 percent of your credit score will be based on your payment history. This is why it is so important to pay your bills. If you dont pay your bills, then you will have a lower credit score.

Your credit score has a huge affect on what kind of credit you can get. If your credit score is low, below 600, then your chances with the loan will be smaller. However, if the score is over 700, you will be able to get any loan you want.

With that being said, it is so important to understand and recognize yor FICO score and keep working on improving it by making smart financial decisions with your credit.

Jennifer Baxt, works with people who are having trouble with their credit and want to improve their score. We offer solutions to credit problems by removing negative items from credit reports. You can visit our website http://www.creditrepairbydrjen.com for more information.

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If Youre Not Using Online Dating, You May Hate Yourself Later (christian wedding poetry)

November 14th, 2008 admin Posted in relationships No Comments »

By JohnJames

  There are several online dating services available. You need to make the right choice of online dating services to get what you are looking for. To get the best of online dating services, sign up with a paid subscription service. But if you don’t want to, there are now very good online dating services that are completely free. Yes, many are excellent, except they put ads on their pages.

If you are worried about being found out by close friends and relatives about your online dating passion, don’t be because your identity can be kept hidden by the online dating website you are patronizing. One of the reasons why many people love online dating is because of the sense of anonymity it gives them. No one will know you are dating someone online, unless you tell them.

Most Christians patronize Christian online dating websites in a bid to find someone of like faith and beliefs to talk to. It can be extremely frustrating to date someone who does not share your Christian values online. Christian online dating websites offer Christians the perfect opportunity to be among their kind.

Online dating enables you to study a prospective date for as long as you want. You need to be sure about the kind the person that you are getting involved with. Also, online dating provides you with that time to know the person, without any undue pressure that you would feel when dating someone next door. You can spend months getting to know your online date very well, before delving into a more serious relationship.

LoversPlanet.com is one of the several qualitative online dating websites that are available on the internet. With websites such as True.com’, and Yahoo personals’, you can date anybody from any part of the world. There are some websites that are restricted to countries and allow only country citizens to sign up for online dating services.

You can find an online dating website that caters to people of a specific age. Dating sites for middle aged people can be easily found if you are around that age or are interested in dating people around that age. Online dating sites are available that cater to teenagers and young adults too.

If you are naturally a computer person, online dating may seem attractive to you. People who love browsing the internet and checking up their mails make perfect candidates for online dating. With online dating, you have a world of options that will make your sojourn exciting.

The pace of dating in an online scene is dictated by you. You don’t have to be under pressure in an online dating scene. In an online dating scene, you call the shots and decide what and who you want to date.

This expert author provides insightful information about African American Christian Online Dating , or even Free Adult Online Dating And Sex on the site –> http://www.onlinedatinghut.com

christian marriages

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The Stock Market Meltdown and Domestic Violence Awareness Month (christian matrimonials)

November 14th, 2008 admin Posted in relationships No Comments »

By Rosemary Lichtman

  Lost in the headlines about the presidential election and the stock market meltdown is the fact that October is the month dedicated to controlling domestic violence. The irony is that the financial shock waves are likely to increase the prevalence of abuse. The economic turmoil will undoubtedly lead to greater fears, pressure and anxiety within families facing financial collapse - and, in many cases, that stress will lead to battering.

The Centers for Disease Control believes that 10% of the population is affected by domestic abuse, although it is estimated that only one-third of these cases are actually reported. It is the most common cause of injury for women ages 15 to 44 who suffer physical as well as emotional injury, such as depression, anxiety and social isolation.

Why do women remain in abusive relationships? Frequently, the reason is fear - they have been brainwashed by the perpetrator - convinced that they are helpless and cannot cope alone. Or they’re afraid that the abusive partner will harm them or their children if they attempt to leave. Another justification is the victims’ incorrect belief that the responsibility is theirs, that they have caused the abuse or that it is up to them to stay in order to keep the family together. Finally, because of a variety of psychological issues and complicated family dynamics, the defense mechanism of denial can remain strong. Domestic abuse victims often refuse to see themselves as battered and don’t accept the fact that the perpetrator will continue the abusive behavior.

If you are afraid of your partner’s anger and how he/she treats you, your children or elders under your care, your first responsibility is to protect yourself and loved ones from harm. Resolve to begin the tough process of freeing yourself. You may feel trapped and so deeply entrenched in the dysfunctional relationship that it seems you will never break away. You can make a start by taking the following steps:

1. Insist that your partner participate in individual therapy as well as relationship counseling with you. The individual therapy should focus on areas such as anger management, cognitive behavioral change, insight, skill building, communication, stress reduction and control strategies.

2. Get help from friends and family members. Talk with them about your concerns and let them know what you need from them. Educate yourself and them about domestic violence. Tell them how to recognize that you or others may be in immediate danger and devise code words to inform them if you need help.

3. Prepare to take care of yourself - emotionally, financially and physically. Find a therapist who will help you develop self-confidence and the life skills you may need to go solo. Take charge of your personal finances, open your own bank account, find a job if you are not already employed.

4. Have an exit strategy and plan what to do if and when you leave the relationship. Investigate available community resources and learn about shelters in your area. Have copies of documents you may need as well as extra clothes and cash; leave them with a friend or neighbor so you can retrieve them later.

5. Immediately let someone in authority know about the abuse, if it occurs. Have the phone number of the local police station available - and you can always call 911. If the violence is directed to your children or the elderly, know how to contact the agencies dealing with child welfare and elder abuse.

As we move through these difficult financial times, the stresses we all face will be great. Emotions are likely to be close to the surface as uncertainty about the state of our economy continues. Be aware of any potential for domestic abuse in your family and pledge to learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from the painful trauma caused by such violence.

(c) 2008, Her Mentor Center

Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D. is co-founder of http://www.HerMentorCenter.com, a website for midlife women and http://www.NourishingRelationships.Blogspot.com, a Blog for the Sandwich Generation. She is co-author of a forthcoming book about Baby Boomers and family relationships. She offers a free newsletter, Stepping Stones, through the website.

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