Posts in Politics

Can a donkey love an elephant? Managing opposing political view in marriage

Dear Lori and Jeff,

We need some advice and tools for learning how to coexist peacefully with diverging political views. We've been married for 27 years, and love each other very much. When we met neither of us was politically inclined, though one of us leaned more conservative and the other more liberal. Over the past few years we've both been paying more attention to what's going on nationally, and our opinions have grown stronger in opposing directions. Sometimes it feels like we don't even know who the other is. How do we keep our marriage strong when it seems our values have become so different?

Signed, Red and Blue

PoliticsLori KretDecember 3, 2018Aspen Relationship Institutemarriage counseling, relationship coaching, politics in marriage, politics and love, liberal married conservativeComment

How to Navigate Politics at Holiday Gatherings

Dear Jeff and Lori,

I get along great with my husband’s parents. We often go to their home for the holidays because they live closer than my family. This year his sister is also coming, and she and I always end up arguing. We have very different political views and she is outspoken and unrelenting about hers. My husband says I always put him in the middle, and this year he’s asked me to manage it on my own. How do I do that when she’s constantly provoking me? The holidays are a special time for my husband and me, so I want to try to make it as enjoyable as possible.

Signed, Struggling Sister-in-law