Fall in love with your spouse again

Divorce rates are remaining steady at 50% survival rate for first marriages. If you are struggling to not be a part of the latest statistic then you might want to read Dr. Laura Berman's new book Real Sex for Real Women. She has worked as a sex educator, researcher, and therapist for the last 18 years. Dr. Berman has a few ideas on how to put that spark back into your dying romance.

• Be the model of change. If you believe your partner is not loving, understanding or appreciative of your concerns then model those behaviors for your partner. You will get what you give in a relationship.
• Own your 100 percent. Own your part of the problem that occurs in the relationship and then take the necessary steps to correct them.
• Initiate sexual contact. If you want a more passionate sex life then initiate the contact with your partner and work to make that happen.
• Talk about your needs in a positive manner. Stop the blame game and speak to your partner in "I" messages. Explain your needs and work together to resolve them.

Then take the steps to stay connected to your partner. Make plans for a date night. Share new experiences together and try not to focus only on your day to day stressors. Relationships are a constant work in progress. It doesn't get easier, you just have to be more creative.

Fathers are a positive influence to their children's education

Currently only 25% of the children in our country are living with both of their biological parents. That means that the majority of children today are living in single parent households or with a blended family. This has created a multiple of tensions to the family system and a strain to relationships. The education system reports it has been difficult to involve divorced parents in their child's education.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan is asking for fathers to become more involved in their children's education. Duncan stated that the school system has done a poor job of including fathers in the education process. Fathers play an important role in a child's education. His actions can help motivate a child's success or discourage them from educational achievement. "When fathers step up, students don't drop out. When fathers step up, young folks have greater dreams for themselves," Duncan said. U.S. Department of Education founded a program eleven years ago Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students). They discovered that men in schools translated to higher student achievement and fewer disciplinary problems.

National Center for Education Statistics report children in two parent homes where the father is highly involved get better grades, enjoy school more, and are less likely to repeat a grade. Fathers are more likely to promote a child's intellectual and social development through physical play. A mother's impact is more likely to transpire while talking and teaching as a caregiver.

Whether the father lives at home or has visitation with his children he can still make an impact as a parent. Fathers can get involved in their children's school and attend parent-teacher conferences. They can turn off the television and read together or have a family game night instead. Fathers can also call their children daily or coach a sport to stay emotionally connected and involved in daily events. Parents and educators working together for the well-being of the children in their care will create confident leaders of the future.