When you find a terrific partner later in life, you are usually smart enough to appreciate how wonderful it is to be with that person. When you make a conscious effort to experience and express gratitude for your partner, you make a major investment in the success of your relationship.
By JENNIFER Y. LEVY-PECK, PHD AND CHARLES PECK | February 24, 2014
Since the title of this column is Magic at Midlife, it's probably obvious that we believe in joyous relationships. Yet we also realize that couplehood, like parenthood, is not for everyone. Some people choose to be single, and we celebrate that choice. Even those who would prefer to have a …
By JENNIFER Y. LEVY-PECK, PHD AND CHARLES PECK | February 20, 2014
As Valentine’s Day approaches, true love is on our minds. Advertisements tell us that you have to give expensive gifts to show true love. Movies and television tell us that you have to jump into bed immediately to show true love. I believe that a real love story is as …
By JENNIFER Y. LEVY-PECK, PHD AND CHARLES PECK | February 10, 2014
If you are looking for your own potential sweetheart, you want both your heart and your head involved in the decision. That’s usually easier to do if you identify your “must-haves” ahead of time and try to take an objective look at a dating partner before you get too involved. …
By JENNIFER Y. LEVY-PECK, PHD AND CHARLES PECK | February 2, 2014
There are two essential ingredients for great sex at midlife: love and a sense of humor. On the one hand, you may not have quite the energy or stamina you had in your twenties; on the other hand, you probably have enough experience to know what pleases you and how …
By JENNIFER Y. LEVY-PECK, PHD AND CHARLES PECK | January 27, 2014
We can all use a tune-up on our communication skills, especially the ones we use in close relationships. Often, at the beginning of a relationship, we are sweeter than sugar, but as time goes on, it’s easy to lapse into irritability and unpleasantness when conflict arises.
By JENNIFER Y. LEVY-PECK, PHD AND CHARLES PECK | January 20, 2014
As we get older, if our parents are still living, we will probably need to help care for them in some way. This can cause significant stress in relationships, particularly newer partnerships that have begun in midlife.
By JENNIFER Y. LEVY-PECK, PHD AND CHARLES PECK | January 13, 2014
It can be daunting to venture out into the “mature” dating world. How can you find a partner? Where should you begin? Here are some pointers to guide your search.
By JENNIFER Y. LEVY-PECK, PHD AND CHARLES PECK | January 6, 2014
Whether you are exploring a current relationship, committed to a partner, or still looking for your “special someone,” clarifying your own long-term goals and values will be useful. Asking yourself “What do I want in the long run?” makes your choice of a partner clearer and makes it easier to …
By JENNIFER Y. LEVY-PECK, PHD AND CHARLES PECK | December 30, 2013
Most of us begin to think about what we want in a relationship when we start dating (or thinking about it) as teens. There’s just one problem with this: the portions of our brain that are involved in rational decision-making are not fully formed in our youth.
By JENNIFER Y. LEVY-PECK, PHD AND CHARLES PECK | December 23, 2013
Jennifer is a psychologist; Charles is a former Information Technology professional. Can you guess who is the extrovert, and who is the introvert? Extroverts gain energy from interacting with other people, and usually like to process information with others. Introverts generally gain energy from quiet time spent alone, and usually …
By JENNIFER Y. LEVY-PECK, PHD AND CHARLES PECK | December 16, 2013
It's not always easy to know when you're overstepping your boundaries as a grandparent. Maybe you have the free time and money to provide everything they want, but when is it too much?
In this column, we talk about relationships that begin in midlife or beyond. Whether you and your partner have been together for a few weeks or several years, holidays can present a challenge. Every family develops its own holiday traditions and routines, and trying to merge them can be…interesting.
By JENNIFER Y. LEVY-PECK, PHD AND CHARLES PECK | December 9, 2013
The American tradition of "spend yourself into a big hole of debt every Christmas," is quickly going out of style. In the last five years we have seen a healthy turn toward more frugal holiday spending and more meaningful gifts rather than more expensive.