When people describe pregnancy, it doesn't sound pleasant. In fact it sounds utterly miserable most of the time. Occasionally I will meet a woman who has little to no morning sickness, is fairly comfortable during her pregnancy and doesn't have to adjust any part of her daily routine, other than possibly using the restroom a little more. I considered them one of the lucky few ... until I read the CNN story, "They didn't know they were pregnant."

How could you not know? You stop having regular periods, you get morning sickness, you gain weight, you have cravings and you are more emotional. The symptoms of pregnancy are well-known and easy to diagnose, right? For most women, that's the case, but when it comes to cryptic pregnancies, normal pregnancy symptoms are easily explained away or not present at all.

Dakota and Anthony Kuhns' Story

Little Able James Kuhns came as a complete surprise to his parents Dakota and Anthony in February of 2014. Dakota unexpectedly gave birth on her couch, with the help of her husband, to a little boy at around 29 weeks along.

Looking back there were a few signs, like back pain, nausea and some stomach pain. In fact, Dakota's boss even suggested that she might be pregnant, but two pregnancy tests (taken a month apart) showed negative results.

The morning after giving birth, Dakota posted pictures of her son on Facebook. Her friends were surprised and mentioned that they had no idea she was pregnant.

Dakota responded in a comment by saying, "I had him last night, and don't worry, until I had him I was out of the loop too!!"

Trish and John Staine's Story

This couple was done having children (or so they thought). Trish was rushed to the hospital due to intense back pains which turned out to be the first signs of labor. Their little girl Mira (short for Miracle) was born about five weeks early weighing around six pounds and six ounces.

Trish was already a mother to a 7-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son. She is also the stepmom to John's three boys. She had some bad back pain, but attributed it to her half-marathon training. Trish didn't experience any weight gain or feel her baby move. Her husband John had a vasectomy. The couple was in total shock when Mira was born.

Jennifer and Dan West's Story

Jennifer had already experienced a fibroid tumor and a ruptured ovarian cyst, so when she was on vacation and started to get pain in her abdomen and back, she thought something similar was happening again.

Her symptoms steadily got worse and Jennifer was rushed to the hospital. An ultrasound revealed that she either had another fibroid tumor or was pregnant. Jennifer "knew" it had to be the tumor and a doctor was called. The doctor informed Jennifer she didn't have a fibroid tumor and was about to have a baby. Both she and Dan were shocked.

She soon gave birth to a little baby boy named Robert Hayward West.

Jennifer did experience a few pregnancy symptoms, but brushed them off. She had morning sickness, but thought it was the flu. Missing a period or two didn't bother her because her periods had always been irregular. Her husband used condoms. Heartburn and stomach pain were explained away as an aggravated ulcer. Weight gain was just attributed to age.

So, how can a pregnancy go unnoticed?

A cryptic pregnancy is where the mom is unaware of the baby until 20 weeks or more into the pregnancy. One study showed that cryptic pregnancies happen about one in 475 pregnancies, but most moms find out before they actually give birth. A Serbian study discovered that when the mother is unaware until the moment of birth happens in about one in 7,225 pregnancies.

Pregnancy symptoms can easily be attributed to other ailments. And since no pregnancy is exactly the same, women might not figure out that all their ailments indicate they are pregnant.

Even if they first suspect they're pregnant, a negative pregnancy test could convince them otherwise.

Here are some common symptoms of pregnancy

If you have more than one of these consider taking a few pregnancy tests and visiting your OB-GYN.

The post She took two pregnancy tests a month apart and both showed negative; a few months later she gave birth appeared first on FamilyToday.

You and your partner each have a unique love tank. These tanks fuel your relationship. When they are both full you will most likely experience a smoother, happier and more satisfying relationship.

"A lot of misbehavior in marriage grows out of an empty love tank," said Dr. Gary Chapman, a psychologist and author of the book "The Five Love Languages."

The key to having a full love tank is to continually fill your partner's love tank, which you can do by saying "I love you" in your partner's unique love language. Discover your love language here, and then use it in these ways to help your relationship blossom:

Words of affirmation

If this is your or your partner's love language, then words are far more powerful than actions. Words can either fill or empty your sweetheart's love tank. Here are a few things that fill the tank and a few that do the exact opposite:

To Fill

• Saying "I love you," "I'm proud of you" and "I appreciate you"

• Texting encouraging words

• Complimenting them for no reason

• Giving them praise

• Saying something supportive

• Telling them why you love them

• Explaining how much they mean to you

To Empty

• Lack of or little verbal communication throughout the day

• Insulting them

• The silent treatment

Acts of service

This love language is all about actions and less about words. Often people with this love language feel the most loved when someone is serving them. Here is how you can fill their love tank and a few things to avoid:

To Fill

• Doing something practical to help the other person out (especially if they know you don't enjoy it)

• Filling the gas tank, doing household chores

• Doing random nice things for them

• Working together on a project that needs to get done

• Running errands

• Relieving stress by taking the work load

• Saying "let me do that for you"

To Empty

• Being lazy and breaking commitments

• Refusing to help out with things

• Creating more work

Receiving gifts

This might sound like an expensive love language, but it really isn't. It just depends on how the person who speaks this language defines a gift. Here are things that will fill or empty the love tank of a person who hears "I love you" with a gift:

To Fill

• Small tokens of love

• A surprise gift

• Something tangible that shows that you were thinking of them

• Thinking ahead about birthdays, anniversaries and other gift giving situations

• Flowers, candy or something that can be grabbed while you are out

• A gift that says thank you

• Letting them get something they really want

To Empty

• Missed birthday, holiday or anniversary

• Thoughtless gifts

• Selfish gifts, intended more for you than the person you love

Quality time

This love language is not all about doing things together (though that is a big part), it's about listening talking and being together without distractions. There are many ways to fill and empty this person's love tank:

To Fill

• Listening to them talk with no distractions (like cell phones, computers or food)

• Spending time with just the two of you

• Spending uninterrupted leisure time or just hanging out together

• Showing interest in things they care about

• Listening to them and trying to understand their feelings

• Doing anything together as long as it is together

• Planning daily time to spend together

To Empty

• Cancelling date night plans

• Interrupting or not listening to the other person

• Consistent distractions

Physical touch

This love language is usually easy to identify in another person because who ever speaks this language is very touchy. Different kinds of physical touches can mean different things, like a hug could be comforting or a form of expressing excitement. The person's love tank who has this language could be filled and emptied in some of these ways:

To Fill

• Kissing frequently

• Hugging and holding hands

• Participating in appropriate public displays of affection

• Sitting close to each other and cuddling

• Giving a backrub or massage

• Being physically intimate

• Frequent non-sexual touches throughout the day

To Empty

• Pushing them away

• Being gone frequently

• Neglecting them

Just because your partner feels loved most when you serve them, doesn't mean they don't need words of affirmation. You should strive to show love to your spouse in all of the love languages.

My husband's love language is receiving gifts, but for him a gift doesn't have to be something purchased. It could be a gift of my time, of service or even a hug. To me, my love languange is service, quality time and physical touch. But to him, it is a gift because I took the time to think about him and what he would appreciate.

Every person will speak their love language in their own dialect. Some people have more than one love language, and it often changes over time. So learn about and speak the love language of your partner. You can travel down the road of happily ever after when you and your partner strive to fill each other's love tanks.

The post How to keep your partner’s love tank full appeared first on FamilyToday.

Just a few months ago 7-year-old Gianessa Wride had beautiful brown hair.

But on January 1, 2017 her mom, Daniella Wride noticed something strange about her daughter's long locks.

"Gianessa had taken a shower. After her shower, I was helping her brush her hair" mother Daniella said. "I noticed that a lot of hair was coming out in the hairbrush so I began looking around her head. I found a bald patch on the back of her head the size of a quarter. I also noticed that around her temples it was beginning to thin."

Daniella didn't tell Gianessa, because she was afraid of scaring her daughter.

Since Daniella was a nurse, she had a few theories of what could have caused the hair loss, including stress, but her daughter lost her hair so rapidly Daniella wondered if the cause was alopecia. Due to demand, it took a month for Gianessa to go to her first doctor's consultation - by this time, she was completely bald.

"She has been diagnosed with alopecia areata. It is an auto-immune disease," Daniella wrote on Instagram after the appointment. She explained that the doctors thought Gianessa's body went overboard when trying to fight the stomach flu. Instead, her body ended up creating antibodies that attacked her hair.

Daniella explained that at first Gianessa didn't quite understand what was happening to her.

"Like any 7-year-old, I think, she expected that it would just grow back because everybody has hair," her mom said, but Gianessa's hair will likely never grow back.

Her bald head doesn't distract from this young girl's beauty.

One of Gianessa's favorite days at school is "Crazy-Hair Day"

The year before she went bald, her crazy hair mimicked a unicorn.

This year, her mom pulled out all the stops to make Gianessa feel beautiful and glamorous. With a handful or more of scrapbook stickers, Daniella bejewelled Gianessa's head.

At school, Gianessa won first place. She hasn't let her lack of hair get in the way of being fashionable, bright and happy. She will occasionally do photoshoots with her dad.

With her bejewelled crazy hair day style, Gianessa and Daniella are getting a lot of attention from the media and that brings joy to their family.

As Daniella puts it, "This is beyond what any mom could hope for her daughter, for others to see her as I see her. My heart is so full."

Like what you see? Sign up here for our weekly FamilyShare email.

The post Mother alarmed when her daughter starts going bald; the surprising culprit? Stomach flu appeared first on FamilyToday.

Moms (and dads) have a lot of highs and lows when raising children. If you have ever been around children, you know there are going to be times when you don't know if you should react to their antics with laughter, tears or anger.

These 19 pictures capture all the different emotions motherhood evokes:

1. Do you want a flower?

2. When they put everything in their mouth

3. Why use forks when you have mouths?

4. Awww, it's so cute when the kids get along

5. Oh good, you understand, you're a mom too

6. Bubbles!

7. When the baby makes you fall even more in love with your man

8. Mother and child moments

9. Do you cry, laugh or yell?

10. When your kids are just "helping you out"

11. One proud mom

12. Car adventures

13. The artwork

14. The picky eater

15. One moment they're happy and the next...crying

16. Capturing the cute moments

17. The lack of privacy

18. Nap time

19. As all moms know silence is golden, unless you have a toddler

Enjoy all the rough and cute moments, and capture them on film. You will love to relive those memories when your children are older.

The post 19 pictures that capture the joys and struggles of motherhood appeared first on FamilyToday.

"If you break up with me, I will drive up the canyon and shoot myself," Dave said looking Jessica directly in the eyes.

Jessica took a deep breath before responding to her ex-boyfriend.

"I really hope you don't do that, but if you do ... it's not my fault." Jessica said.

"I have the gun right here, do you want to see it?" Dave said in a frenzied whisper. Jessica froze. Her thoughts raced.

Does he really have a gun? Would he actually go through with his suicide threat this time?

Then came the most chilling thought. Would he shoot her?

"No," Jessica said. "I don't want to see it."

Jessica and Dave's relationship lasted two and a half years. Dave would use sob stories any time Jessica tried to break up with him. What started as a fun, high school relationship soon spiraled into a terrifying experience that could happen to anyone.

"He was really good at manipulating me into feeling guilty enough that I stayed with him," Jessica told FamilyShare. "I felt very stuck, but I felt like if I left him, he would fall apart."

The first time he threatened to kill himself was during her sophomore year of college

One night, Dave called Jessica over and over until she eventually picked up.

"I finally answered and [Dave] said that he was in a really bad place because he felt like I didn't love him, and he wanted to kill himself," Jessica said. "I freaked out."

After talking him out of his plan, Jessica tried to be more committed to her relationship.

"When he brought up killing himself, it was always in the context that he was in a dark place and that only I could save him," Jessica said. "Like I was the only thing keeping him from sinking so low that he wanted to die."

Eventually she realized the relationship needed to end

During this crazy time, Jessica developed a crush on a guy named Josh, who he ended up making it easier for Jessica to get out of her relationship with Dave. She said she wasn't strong or mature enough to get out of the relationship alone.

"I think I would have felt too physically vulnerable to just break up with him and then be alone. I felt like I needed someone else to physically be with me so that I would be safe, even though he didn't exactly threaten to kill me," said Jessica.

With the support of Josh, she could finally end it.

Dave didn't take it well.

Dave continued to lie and manipulate Jessica

After the breakup, Dave started following Jessica's car. This is when their final conversation took place.

Jessica called Josh, and asked him to meet her in a nearby parking lot before answering Dave's frantic calls. When Dave threatened to run her off the road, Jessica told him to pull into a parking lot (the same one where Josh was meeting her) to talk. Jessica got into Dave's car to calm him down and tell him to stop contacting her. This is when Dave asked if Jessica wanted to see the gun.

Jessica got out of Dave's car, and Josh contacted the police. Dave's family was notified of his suicide threats.

After this conversation in the canyon, Dave attempted to contact Jessica one more time, but then stopped. Josh's emotional support helped stop Jessica from going back to Dave.

"I'm glad I got out, but there are definitely some real and lasting effects from spending two and a half years with someone like that," Jessica said. "I should have broken up with him when he started making me responsible for his happiness."

There are many ways a person can manipulate their significant other to remain in a relationship, including:

• Suicidal threats

• Guilt tripping

• Making another person feel worthless

• A "revelation from God"

• Pregnancy claim (fake or real)

• Blackmail

Because these tactics are so effective, many people find themselves stuck in an abusive and manipulative relationship.

How do you get out of the relationship?

1. Recognize manipulation

Manipulation comes in a variety of forms, some of which are difficult to recognize. If your gut tells you something about the person is dangerous or wrong, leave the relationship. Protect yourself by knowing the signs of manipulation.

2. Don't delay the breakup

As Jessica learned, breaking up with Dave became harder as time went on. If you feel pressured to stay in a relationship, break up immediately. Nothing good will come from staying in a relationship you don't want to be in.

3. End all contact

Block numbers and social media accounts (maybe even change phone numbers) if he or she keeps trying to contact you after you've broken off the relationship. If you see each other at school or at work, talk to human resources or school administration to help avoid your former partner.

4. Never go into a situation on your own

Jessica relied on Josh to help her out, but Josh knew it was time to involve the police.

Suicide threats should be taken very seriously. Notify a suicide help line or the police immediately. Friends and family should also be notified, but that can left to the authorities. Remember, your life could be in danger so always have help handy when breaking up with an abusive significant other.

5. Create a support system

You will need the support and help of loved ones and professionals when working with a manipulative person, especially if a former significant other actually goes through with their threats of suicide.

You are the victim in the relationship and are not responsible for the mental wellbeing of your former boyfriend or girlfriend.

6. Seek help

As Jessica (and other victims interviewed by FamilyShare) learned, the effects of a manipulative relationship can last for years. Manipulation is a form of abuse, and you'll probably need more than a hug to get back to your former self. Get professional counseling and help. Get help to guide you through the healing process and teach you coping skills to overcome reservations about future relationships.

Breaking up with someone is always going to be difficult, but it's worse when you are afraid the breakup could put you or your significant other in danger. Take the proper precautions. If needed, involve the police early and make sure your friends and family know what is going on. Your safety and happiness is important, and shouldn't be sacrificed in any sort of relationship.

Editor's Note: To protect the privacy and safety of the individuals interviewed by FamilyShare, all names have been changed.

The post Her boyfriend threatens to kill himself if she breaks up with him; what she did minutes before changes everything appeared first on FamilyToday.

We love these products, and we think you will too. Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase, we may get a cut of the sale (with no cost to you).

Finding the right Mother's Day gift can be difficult, but here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Picture frame

Get it here!

2. Flowers

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3. Jewelry container

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4. Family tree decor

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5. Cookbook

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6. Picnic backpack

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7. Blank recipe book

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8. Dinnerware

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9. Sushi-making kit

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10. Baking bible

Get it here!

11. Rustic leather-bound journal

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12. Jewelry kit

Get it here!

13. Knitting kit

Get it here!

If they already have a knitting kit, consider this Vogue "Knitting The Ultimate Hat Book."

14. Adult coloring books

Get it here!

If she likes to create or design, get her a sketchbook, but don't forget the colored pens and pencils.

15. Sewing kit

Get it here!

If a sewing kit isn't exactly what they need, consider this sewing machine.

16. Gardening stool, tool bag

Get it here!

Also consider this Vegetable Gardener's handbook, a raised garden bed or stackable planters.

17. Purse

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18. Clutch

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19. Earrings

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20. Cuff bracelet

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21. Sunglasses

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22. Pearl necklace

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23. Amazon Echo

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24. Kindle

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25. Tiles

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26. Mug

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27. T-Shirt

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28. Nail polish

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If she already has lots of polish, consider this nail dryer.

29. Fitbit

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30. iRobot Roomba

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31. Perfume

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32. Yoga mat

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33. Hot/cold bottle

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34. Exploding kittens

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35. Chocolate

Get it here!

36. Comfy robe

Get it here!

The post 36 Mother’s Day gifts for your wife, mom or grandma appeared first on FamilyToday.

For many people it's a lot easier to see someone else's good attributes than it is to see their own. This makes it easier to love, forgive and praise others, but to really be happy, you need to learn to love yourself.

You need to love your perfections and imperfections, your strengths and your weaknesses. When you accept and love who you are, life will seem clearer and more focused.

So, how do you fall in love with yourself?

Write a journal and read it a year later

If you want to love yourself, start with writing about your day. Include your highs and lows and all the feelings that accompany them. You don't have to be fake in your journah; honestly write about the things in your life. In the future, not only will your memories be fun to revisit, but you will also see how much you have learned and improved.

Compliment yourself

Your inner critic is constantly talking, but it doesn't always need to be negative. Pat your back and compliment yourself once in a while. Write down or say these compliments out loud to overpower your doubts.

Volunteer for something you're passionate about

Helping other people will help you be more confident in yourself. Find a cause you're passionate about and then go out and support it. This will give you direction and purpose.

Make a vision board

These boards can always change, but they provide direction as you set short-term and long-term goals. Keep track of accomplishments as you push forward to achieve your vision.

Take a bath

Sometimes you just need to relax in a bath and have a good soak. To really treat yourself, go to a spa or get a massage. Let go of the stressful things and be at peace.

Travel

Go out and see something new. If you don't have time for a road trip, go on a hike. Use these quiet moments to think about who you are and what you want to become. Write down your reflections and be at peace with your mistakes and your achievements.

Splurge a little

A new outfit or some nice makeup can make all the difference in the world. Don't feel bad about occasionally treating yourself. It will give you confidence and strength to face the next day.

Define who you are, your likes and your desires

Write down what makes you, you. Every person has good and bad habits. Accept the positive and negative aspects of yourself. Then write down what you want from your life. When you define who you are and what you want, you can accept yourself and love who you are.

Explore new interests, hobbies or talents

You will never know if you have a hidden talent in pottery or writing until you give it a chance. Take a random class at a local community college and try new things. Explore new field of study. As your knowledge grows, so will your confidence.

Trust yourself

Your gut instinct is incredibly trustworthy. When you make a decision, do your research and know you made the right choice under the circumstances. Yes, you will make mistakes, but those mistakes do not define you.

Do what you need to do, not what others want you to do

Be OK with saying no to other people's suggestions. You know what's best for yourself. Others may expect you to do one thing, but only you know your dreams and desires. Work toward them with your head held high.

Get an idea of how your friends and loved ones see you

Try to see yourself in the way that your loved ones see you. Trust their perception of you. When you look in the mirror, tell yourself the things your family said about you, out loud. Love who you see in the mirror like your friends do.

Stand up for yourself

Don't let others push you around. Defend your decisions and be confident. One way to practice this is to stand confidently. Pull your shoulders down and back. Walk with a purpose with your head held high. Others will see how confident you are, and you'll feel more confident with yourself.

Smile

Even when you don't feel like it, put a smile on your face. Sometimes smiling can make all the difference.

You should love who you are and what you stand for. Accept that you will always be striving to improve weaknesses, but don't let your weaknesses define who you are and how you act. When you fall in love with yourself, a calm confidence will surround you. You won't be doing things just because they need to get done; you will be doing them with a purpose.

The post 14 small (but beautifully effective) ways to learn to love yourself appeared first on FamilyToday.

I have a dear friend who went on several dates with a guy she liked. On one date, a traumatic accident happened, putting him into the hospital. Even though she wasn't at fault, she felt obligated to remain in the relationship because she was there during the accident. That obligation left her feeling guilty for wanting to end their relationship.

Eventually they broke up and went on to marry other people. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. Some people spend years in these guilt ridden or obligatory relationships.

Maybe you were going to break up with him, then found out he lost his job. Or perhaps she bought you an expensive gift the night you were going to end things. Maybe you've lost your romantic spark, but your family adores her - is that reason enough to stay together?

These and other scenarios can keep you in an unwanted relationship, especially if you are worried about a person's emotional stability. But you shouldn't feel obligated to stay in a relationship; you can still be supportive even if you aren't dating.

Here are different ways to break up (and the pros and cons of each):

Rip off the Band-Aid

It's hard, but it's usually the kindest way. Even if things are falling apart in their lives, dragging out a relationship just makes it all worse. When you use this technique, come prepared to explain the reasons for the breakup and be kind, but don't feel guilty about ending things.

Part of being kind with this technique is being thoughtful for when you decide to break up. If someone has died, wait until after the funeral. Avoid breaking up on holidays or birthdays.

Ghosting

Slowly disappearing out of a significant other's life is the coward's way of dealing with a breakup. You cause them pain by walking out of their life only to make matters worse by reappearing to break up with them.

The only good thing about this technique is the other person probably expects the breakup to happen, but don't think that rationalizes it. It may seem like the easy way out, but it causes more harm than good.

Ominous texts

"We need to talk." Well, your partner will have a pretty good idea about what is coming next. He or she could quietly accept it, or this conversation will end in an argument about whose fault the failed relationship is.

A little warning is nice, but with this technique, they will have more time to prepare for the pain...sometimes it is better to be blindsided.

The letter

This is a good idea if you are afraid you can't say what you want in person, or if you are in a long distance relationship. But if you are close enough to break up in person, do it. The breakup will already hurt the person, so don't back out by just writing a letter. If you are worried you are going to mess in person, write a letter explaining your feelings, tell your lover you are breakup with him or her, hand them the letter and leave.

Trick them

You don't want to feel guilty about breaking your partner's heart, so you do things that will push them to breakup with you first. This is just avoiding the problem. You are already breaking their heart by "forgetting" a birthday, breaking promises and not being there for them. Don't be a coward; just rip the band aid off yourself. Don't slowly pull it up with the goal of hurting them just enough so they rip the rest of the bandage off themselves.

It's all me

The infamous line, "It's not you, it's me" always backfires, though the sentiment behind it is important. It's a good idea to recognize that you have a role in the breakup, but it's also important to explain why you it's just not working. Every good breakup should include a discussion. This will help the other person know exactly what happened in your relationship on your part and theirs.

There will never be a good time for you to breakup with someone, so all you can do is to pick the best day possible (not a holiday, funeral or special occasion). Be kind, honest and succinct and address the problems head on and in person. Though the other options seem more gentle at times, they will just cause the pain to linger.

The post How to break up with someone when you feel obligated to stay in the relationship appeared first on FamilyToday.

In most cases, divorce is unpleasant. Sometimes divorce is necessary, but other times it can be avoided if both parties desire to save their marriage. In a study done by Pennsylvania State University, the top reasons men listed for divorce was incompatibility, infidelity, lack of communication and personality problems.

Many of these causes for divorce can be avoided if both men and women desire to improve themselves for the sake of their relationship. Husbands, you can find out ways you might be pushing your wife to divorce, but wives, this article is for you. Here are five things you unknowingly do that push your husband away:

1. You don't see him as a priority

Children, work and other responsibilities are important, but they might be getting in the way of your relationship. If your husband isn't your number one priority, you'll likely drift apart over time. It's especially difficult for him when you withhold affection. A quick kiss as you're running out the door isn't the same as a romantic evening or an intimate night without any distractions.

Make him feel special and he will do the same for you. Your parenting will also improve when you're both on the same page.

2. You try to change him

Don't try to make him change to fit your ideal life. Never compare your man to other men and avoid excessive nagging. This will make him feel unloved and unwanted.

Love your husband for his good traits and his bad traits. Love him for who he is, not who you wish he was.

3. You're emotionally dumping on him ... always

Some days are truly just awful. On those days it definitely helps to have a listening ear and an encouraging husband. But over-the-top emotions, talking non-stop and constant complaints will drive your husband insane. Insulting other women (and men) is off putting for your husband. When you're always running your mouth and never listening to him, he will start to distance himself from you, which will eventually lead to divorce.

Take time to listen to your man and keep excessive emotions and cruel thoughts to yourself. Even better, stop gossiping all together.

4. You don't treat him as an equal

You are not his mom or his boss, so don't act like them. When you ask for his advice, listen and follow it (at least occasionally). Let him make decisions and admit when he is right about something (especially if you were so insistent that he was wrong). Let him protect and provide for you in his own way, just like you protect and provide for him in yours.

Relationships require teamwork, and though that doesn't mean you will always agree on everything, it means you must respect and support each other.

5. You're too dependent, emotional and/or critical

If he is your only friend, things are probably not going to continue down a happy path. At the same time, if you are too emotional or critical about him, then he is going to feel like a failure and get frustrated with you. You need to stand on your own two feet, find independence and work with your man, don't tear him down.

Don't let jealousy or loneliness drive your husband away. Instead, work with your husband to build an interdependent marriage. Both you and your spouse will be much happier if you do so.

Small efforts lead to positive results. Protect your marriage by looking carefully at your behavior and talking to your husband about what you can improve. Relationships take compromise and diligence, and as long as both you and your man put in that work, you will strengthen your love for one another.

The post 5 ways you are unknowingly smothering the spark in your marriage appeared first on FamilyToday.

Alec Horan and Stephanie Gardner have enjoyed doing couples yoga since they started dating two years ago, but it's not just regular yoga. They do acrobatic yoga or acroyoga.

The different poses they take are stunning, but this time Horan took their bonding activity to a new level.

Horan, an amature photographer, likes to film their yoga sessions. So while on vacation, it wasn't odd for him to set up a camera on the Hawaiian beach to record their practice.

Along the stunning shoreline, the couple started with a very intricate pose, but watch what happens near the end of the routine.

His proposal was immediately accepted.

"She didn't expect it," Horan toldInside Edition. "It was a complete surprise to her. Steph's emotional reaction was amazing. Heck, even I teared up too. It was the happiest day of my life. I'm going to marry my best friend."

Not all couples can excel at acroyoga, but each couple can find an activity that helps them bond more with their spouse. Even if neither of you have tried the following activities, try them together:

• Hike together. Start small before setting a goal to hike a few mountains together.

• Write down positive things about each other in a notebook on the kitchen table. Trade notebooks and throughout the week, add more comments when your spouse isn't looking.

• Create a bucket list and start checking things off. Make sure your list includes big and small goals to keep you busy for months.

• Decide on a couple goals and then celebrate in a unique way when you both complete them.

• Work out together. Maybe try a few yoga classes.

• Go on a road trip adventure. Make a mixtape or playlist of favorite songs for your spouse before hopping in the car.

• Cook together (at least once a week).

• Climb into bed, cover yourselves with a blanket and have a whispered conversation. Bring snacks, a flashlight and whisper all night long.

• Keep trying new hobbies by taking a cooking lesson, dance class or other similar kind class together.

• Pray together.

• Redecorate a room in your house. You can move around the furniture or even choose to repaint.

• Have a book club just for the two of you, or read the book to each other.

Every couple has different schedules and difficulties, so find a bonding activity that works best for you and your spouse. These activities will lead to a happier and healthier relationship, and might give you fun stories to share with family and friends, too.

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