Puppy Love: Reflections on a Good Dog

Wise Readers, Our beloved dog Liberty crossed The Bridge yesterday. And this letter is about love—dog love. Some would say it’s “just” dog love. But “just” dog love is remarkably life-affirming, and research proves it. Dog love is special because it is unconditional, constant, and uncomplicated. Dogs don’t love us if. They love us, period. So this letter today is for Liberty and all dogs. And if you have been owned by a dog, it’s for you.

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Lonely? Standards too high? Q&A from "How Not To Settle"

Wise Readers, When to hold ‘em, when to fold ‘em? During dating, that can become The Question. Why is starting with love beginning backwards—and what can making a Traits For A Mate List do for you? What happened to Readers who stuck by their standards in the past—and those who didn’t? What if you know what your Standards are, but you’re having a tough time sticking to them? Why do people resist making The List? And how detailed should it be? What about complementary traits—don’t opposites attract, too? Read on!

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How Not To Settle: Figuring out what you want, and whether you can get it

Dear Duana, I’m dating Viv, a woman who is never satisfied with what I can give….I love her, but I’m unhappy and I don’t think this will change. Am I being too picky and tossing away my best shot at love if I leave, or is staying settling? Should I find someone I mesh with better? Dear Charles, Dating is the time to pick the one who makes your heart sing, not the one who’s got you singin’ the blues. Although it’s tempting to advise dropping this relationship like a dinnertime telemarketer, *you* are the expert on you and your needs. Let’s leverage that expertise to help you answer your own questions so you can get a relationship that is more joy than job—whether with Viv or someone else….

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Not MY Child: How to teach your kids to resist sexual peer pressure

Wise Readers, What if there were a way to inoculate your kids against sexual peer pressure (or smoking)? There is. It’s easy. And it’s free. Read on!

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Stolen Kisses: Why we don't want to be asked first, but you'd better ask our kids

Wise Readers, Last week, I asked you: Do you want to be asked before someone kisses you in a new relationship? How about an established relationship? What if the questions referred to your own teenage child? Why the heck would I want to know?! Because surprisingly, there’s not much scientific enquiry about kissing. Just a lot of assumptions. And your Survey responses, plus other relationship research, helps take what we know about Kissing—our own, our kids’—to the next level.

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