Are you emotionally available in your love relationship?

Before you say of course, stop a moment and think about it.

Emotional availability means you are available to those you love and who love you even when you do not feel like it.

Emotionally available by choice

I once asked the wife of major college football coach how she was able to do all that she did with her big family when her husband was gone so much.

Her answer stopped me in my tracks - she said that no matter what, good day or bad day, long day or longer day, win or lose, when he came through the door at the end of the day, he was emotionally available to her and the children.

So naturally I had to ask him how he pulls this one off. Another answer that stopped me in my tracks - he said that he had a football street. He allowed himself to think football on the way home up until he got to a certain street. After that street, he allowed himself to think only family.

What is your "football street?"

At what point do you turn your attention and heart to your love relationship? Is it at some point everyday? A few times a year? Only after they are gone?

My suggestion is to come up with your own daily "football street" and use that boundary each day to turn your heart and attention to your love relationship(s).

I case you are wondering, my football friend wins a lot.

On and off the field.

Jeff Herring

Jeff is a marriage and family therapist, singles and relationship coach, mentor coach, speaker, syndicated relationship columnist and author.

Jeff has a full time private practice in Tallahassee in which he specializes in couples, teen and parent counseling. He also is a relationship coach specializing in working with couples and singles. Some of his professional activities include:

==> Internationally syndicated relationship columnist through Knight-Ridder/Tribune Media Services, with a weekly readership of over 10 million worldwide

==> Sought after speaker for organizations, associations, churches, and corporations

==>Twice weekly appearances on The Steve and Sara Show on Magic 107.1

==> Author of "Keep the Changes: 52 Tools for Successful Living" a collection of his best columns, as well as several e-books including "How to Create a Passionate and Loving Relationship.........Forever," "How to Beat the BOZOs: Dealing with difficult people without becoming one," and "Tame Your Teen: THE survival guide for parenting your teenager.

==> Founder and CEO of TheArticleGuy.com

==> Founder and CEO of SecretsofGreatRelationships.com

==> Founder and CEO of ParentingYourTeeanger.com

==> Founder and CEO of ToolsforSuccessfulLiving.com

==> President of BuildingYourIdealPractice.com

==> President of ConsciousDatingTallahassee.com

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