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Some
great websites that provide up-to-date information about marriage and relationship skills, seminars and programs, nationally
and in the Northwest and Rocky Mountain area.
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www.TwoOfUs.org : Where
can you go to find good information about how to make a 21st century relationship work out? Here’s a very interactive,
friendly new website, with good research-based information, links, tips, local resources, and a growing and interactive
online community. You can receive and share ideas from your peers, as well as marriage experts, and sign up for tips, news,
whatever. Also check out the “Hot Topics” button. TwoOfUs is inclusive – it has information for couples
who are dating, in serious “exclusive” relationships, as well as engaged, married, or parents. TwoOfUs does not
assume, or expect that its users will be married. It does assume that a lifetime, committed, loving partnership is a
very good idea for most of us. Only 49 percent of U.S. households are now composed of married couples,
with or without children. A nationally-representative survey found that young adults not only aspire to be married,
but they plan to be married for life.** But will we do it, when a lot of us growing up haven’t had much opportunity
to see what a life-long commitment looks like in our own families? Where can you go to find good information about how
to make a 21st century relationship work out?
Well, this friendly new website has good research-based information, links, tips, local resources, and a growing online community. It’s inclusive –it has information for couples who are dating, in serious “exclusive” relationships, as well as engaged, married, or parents. TwoOfUs does not assume, or expect that its users will already be married. It does assume that a lifetime, committed, loving partnership is a very good idea for most of us. I like it because it’s solidly researched -- I use the same information in my classes and counseling, because I can count on it working for 80-90% of couples. The site is adding demonstration videos and podcasts to topics at the HOT TOPICS button --on “how to argue”, dealing with job loss, money issues, etc. I have the feeling that the website manager (an independent Federal contractor) has a lot of young adults on staff helping to run the site, and find information. Perhaps even more important is the site's interactive community environment. You can receive and share ideas from your peers, as well as marriage experts, and sign up for tips, news, whatever. ** The national representative survey of 3,600 young adults, aged 18 to 30 was conducted by a public opinion firm TRU. It found that 82 percent of young adults aspire to be married and believe that a healthy marriage is within reach. Further, the #1 reason to take get married is "love," (87 percent) followed closely by "lifelong commitment" (72 percent). Only 31% saw "having children" as a reason to get married. Absolutely the best national website for couples
– tons of information, and a huge number of marriage and couple education programs all over the country, with dates
and locations of seminars & training. PREP (Prevention & Relationship Enhancement), University of Denver).
Developed by researchers Howard Markman and Scott Stanley, PREP has been widely adopted by both churches and the military.
It’s straightforward, gender balanced, and readily learnable by anyone. The website lists PREP couple workshops and
seminars in the Rocky Mountain region.
New site for, and by guys, created by an friend in Rhode Island.
It invites comments from men about their marriages, and strategies that work. Within specific topics like "intimacy",
or "managing work & marriage" you'll find comments from others, and you can contribute your own secrets. Michele Weiner-Davis has been helping couples avoid unnecessary divorces for 12 years, and her website continues to encourage and inspire. Especially helpful for partners who are willing to do anything to keep their marriage, even without cooperation – at first. The Gottman Institute, Seattle. Site lists couples seminars in
Seattle and other Northwest region sites. These seminars are based on the research of John Gottman and others at the University
of Washington. The Institute also offer seminars specifically for gay and lesbian couples. Power of Two: Susan Heitler, a marriage educator &
colleague in Boulder CO, now offers her very successful couples relationship skills workshops LIVE online. Power of
Two teaches the essential skills to sustain a loving marriage, to eliminate fighting, and to make truly satisfying win-win
decisions together. These innovative online marriage workshops are taught live by professional marriage educators, and are
delivered through your computer and phone to fit into your busy schedule. A nation-wide organization which specializes in helping "couples
on the brink" of divorce, led by couples who came back, often after major problems --adultery, gambling, substance abuse,
etc. Weekend retreats for couples in Montana are offered every year, in March in Great Falls and in September in Billings,
and several times a year in Spokane, with followup programs. Retrouvaille began in the Catholic Church of Canada but is open
to all couples. The National Healthy Marriage Institute: Products and services to
help couples develop and sustain healthy marriages.
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