The Whole Parent

Finding Myself and My Body, Again

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:May 18, 2022
Post category:ad Depression Divorce Drinking Health and Fitness mindfulness self-awareness Self-care Single-Dad Spirituality
Post comments:0 Comments

What I need is a radical rethink of myself and a full-court press on fitness as a priority in my life.

At the End of Sex and the End of My Marriage

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:May 17, 2022
Post category:aaa Depression Divorce Married Life Parenting Relationships Self-care Sex
Post comments:2 Comments

The first time when we were making love during this period, that I noticed things were off, I caught her looking out the window, seemingly bored. "Are you okay?" I asked.

What I Learned About Drinking: The Summer of Love

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:May 14, 2022
Post category:Dating Drinking Health and Fitness Joy Love relationship building Relationships self-awareness Self-care Spirituality Third Glass Series
Post comments:0 Comments

I also learned that drinking is not a life path that's going to bring you much joy. And as you get more routine about your nightly start, you get less intentional about what you want to do with your free time.

Setting Priorities in Life: The Only Path Forward

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:May 13, 2022
Post category:Dating Health and Fitness mindfulness self-awareness Self-care Spirituality
Post comments:0 Comments

As our little boat struggles forward my wife and I are co-captains. And we have an awesome little crew of kids, dogs, cats, and even fish. All attached via rigging and lifelines.

Big 5 Relationship Questions to Answer Before You Start Dating Again

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:May 13, 2022
Post category:Dating dd1 Joy Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad
Post comments:0 Comments

So let's make a pact, in our next round of dating "work" I want to commit to pursuing only the clear YES women. Everything else is a distraction. If I am interested in a relationship, that's going to take time, patience, perspective, and the right YES woman.

Listening To Yourself About Craving, Loneliness, Longing

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:May 12, 2022
Post category:Dating
Post comments:0 Comments

And then I did something a bit different: I paid attention to how each of my options felt. I noticed I was not really in need of ice cream. I didn't need anything sweet.

The Beautiful Life/Dating Coach’s Dilemma: Our Reality vs Theirs

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:May 11, 2022
Post category:Dating
Post comments:0 Comments

Love is a journey. Love is not a soul mate who sweeps you off your feet. Love is a bit more like beauty and the beast. We've got flaws, we've got inner dragons, we've got issues, and we STILL LOVE THE OTHER PERSON.

Defining 5 Love Skills: Moving the Love Languages Into Action

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:May 11, 2022
Post category:Dating Joy Love Married Life relationship building Relationships Self-care
Post comments:0 Comments

I do rely on Love Languages a lot, but I think we need more than that. We need action and clear commitments to fulfill with our partners. We need to give them the space to miss us. The space to get into their own inner dialogue about dreams and projects. We need to feel our own isolation and how much more vibrant we feel when we are together.