Monogamy
How To
5 Ways to Get “Hygge” or “Koselig” with a Loved One in Winter

If you haven’t been hibernating for the past few years, then you’ve probably heard of hygge, the Danish notion of coziness which has now become a lifestyle, with books, stores, and brands. (Etymologically, it’s related to the Dutch word heugen, which means to remember.) According to Meik Wiking in The Little Book of Hygge, it’s has […]

Pop Culture
“Swinging” May Just Be the Future

Articles on the swinging lifestyle, like this one, are growing tiresome. They go like this: curious author, protected — thank you God! — by her protective husband, ventures into the horrifyingly dangerous and unknown wilds of “swingers” [sic] and miraculously emerges unharmed, not having had to remove any precious items of clothing or actually view […]

Confessions
Comment of the Week: Why Monogamy, Not Polygamy, Is the Norm

Reader Charles recently posted his theory as to why monogamy rules in the comments section of our post “Top 10 Reasons to Be — and Stay — Non-Monogamous.” Jump into the debate in the comments below: To be blunt, the most effective method of doing something dominates. As a central economic tenant states “A firm that […]

Confessions
My Kung Fu Is Strong Against Your Pro-Polyamory Arguments

We have two companion posts, one called “Top 10 Reasons for Being – and Staying – Monogamous,” the other called “Top 10 Reasons for Being — and Staying — NON-Monogamous.” We intended each as encouragement for those people who prefer to be in their particular kind of relationship, not as indictments of one another. But home-team loyalty runs […]

How To
6 Ways to Tell You’re in the RIGHT Relationship

by Brianna Wiest for YourTango Sometimes it’s not a matter of finding the right relationship, but realizing when you already have it. The story we’re sold about love usually doesn’t go past the exposition. The part people write about and talk about and make films about is the seeking, finding, losing and finding again. We talk about heartbreak and loss, […]

How To
Top 10 Reasons for Being – and Staying – NON-Monogamous

We ran the lighthearted post called “Top 10 Reasons for Being – and Staying – Monogamous” as encouragement for those people who choose to be in exclusive, long-term relationships. Some readers took it as an indictment of non-monogamy, which wasn’t our intention at all. To prove it to you, here are 10 points in favor of the other […]

How To
Top 10 Reasons for Being – and Staying – Monogamous

Monogamy gets a bad rap these days — people say it’s unnatural, impossible, outdated, stifling. And, yes, sometimes it is! Especially if your wedding anniversary now contains two digits. But anything worth fighting for will usually put you through the ringer, and monogamy is no exception. So before your partner’s bad habits drive you to […]

How To
How to Truly Love Someone Unconditionally

by Michelle Brock for YourTango Is it even possible to find unconditional love? Unconditional love. A love that comes without any conditions, expectations, constraints, or parameters; a love that just IS. A love that is so perfect and so pure that it’s given freely – no matter what. Does it exist? And if it does, is it possible to practice in […]

Your Call
Is It Normal for a Guy’s Libido to Decrease in a Relationship?

We get a lot of advice questions coming in at EMandLO.com, but sadly, we just can’t answer them all. Which is why, once a week, we turn to you to decide how best to advise a reader. Make your call on the letter below by leaving your advice in the comments section.  Dear Em & Lo, Does a man’s interest in […]

How To
When Anger Is Helpful in a Relationship…And When It’s Not

Count to ten before you speak, we’re often told, especially when fighting with a partner. Take a deep breath and remember you’re talking to someone you love, the advice goes. Being angry means you’ve lost control, the theory goes. But is there ever a time when you shouldn’t count to ten — when a little anger […]

How To
How NOT to Spice Up Your Relationship

We’ve been in the magazine business for more than fifteen years, and we are still suckers for those stupid headlines like “537 Ways to Improve Your Sex Life TONIGHT!” We just can’t help flipping to that article while we’re stuck in the check-out line. What if just one of those “guaranteed” 537 tips is neither ridiculous […]

How To
How to Combat the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse… in Bed

You’ve probably heard of “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” — these are the four types of behavior that, when they occur on a regular basis in a relationship, are a good predictor of divorce, according to psychology professor and bestselling author John Gottman, Ph.D. According to the Gottman Relationship Blog, “The Four Horsemen typically […]

How To
5 Ways to Show Your Appreciation to Your Partner

Last week we published an article by YourTango explaining how to resuscitate your relationship after a bout of infidelity. The solution? You have to truly — and verbally — appreciate your partner. Like, a lot. But why wait for an affair to do this? In fact, appreciating your partner on a daily basis is a […]

How To
10 Things to Say to Your Partner Instead of “I Love You”

Saying “I love you” can become a form of punctuation in a long-term relationship. People say it at the end of a phone call, or on their way out the door, or as they’re falling asleep at night. And there’s nothing wrong with this. Expressing love often is a good thing! And it’s a nice way to check […]

Wise Guys
Men Are Not Hardwired for Cheating — Just for Sex

Advice from three of our guy friends. This week we ask, “Are men hardwired to cheat? More than women?“ Straight Married Guy (Ben): When it comes to sex, sexuality and attraction, men ARE hardwired for many things. We are hardwired to notice — men, women, whatever your sexual preference. We are hardwired to assess — […]