Mark Webb, The Marriage Specialist

02/05/2026

Valentine's Day is a special time, but it may be hard to plan a magical day without breaking the bank. Many couples either overspend, creating financial stress, or wind up falling short of each other's expectations, making Valentine's Day a difficult day to celebrate.

As we get closer to Valentine's Day, check out our new guide to celebrating on a budget at https://themarriagespecialist.com/celebrating-valentines-day-on-a-budget/

01/22/2026

Unpopular parenting opinion:

The best thing you can do for your children is to prioritize your marriage.

I know this goes against modern parenting culture that says:
"Kids come first"
"Everything for the children"
"Sacrifice your marriage for your kids"

But here's the truth:

Your children don't need perfect parents.
They need parents with a strong partnership.

When kids see:
✅ Parents who respect each other
✅ Healthy conflict resolution
✅ Affection and kindness
✅ Teamwork in the home
✅ A secure, stable relationship

They learn:
→ What healthy love looks like
→ How to handle disagreements
→ What to expect in their future relationships
→ How to communicate effectively
→ That they are secure and safe

When kids see:
❌ Constant fighting
❌ Disrespect and contempt
❌ Parents who are "together for the kids" but miserable
❌ A marriage held together by obligation, not love

They learn:
→ Relationships are supposed to be miserable
→ Love doesn't last
→ It's normal to be unhappy in marriage
→ They're the reason their parents are unhappy (guilt)

Your marriage IS parenting.

It's not selfish to prioritize date nights.
It's not selfish to protect couple time.
It's not selfish to work on your marriage.

It's the most unselfish thing you can do—because it gives your children the gift of a stable, loving home.

Strong marriages create secure children.

What's one way you prioritize your marriage while parenting?

01/17/2026

THIS WEEKEND MARRIAGE CHALLENGE 💑

Ready for something simple but powerful?

This weekend, do these 3 things:

1️⃣ **NO PHONES FOR 2 HOURS**
Put them away. Have an actual conversation. Be fully present.

2️⃣ **ASK: "How can I love you better?"**
Then LISTEN. Don't defend. Don't explain. Just listen and learn.

3️⃣ **DO ONE THING YOUR SPOUSE HAS BEEN ASKING FOR**
That thing they've mentioned multiple times? Do it. Without being asked again.

That's it.

Three simple actions that could completely shift the tone of your marriage.

Will you do it?

Comment "CHALLENGE ACCEPTED" if you're in! 💪

Then come back Monday and tell us how it went!

Your marriage is worth 2 hours of intentional effort.

Let's do this! 🙌

01/14/2026

REAL STORY: From the Brink of Divorce to Thriving 💙

I want to share a story (with permission) that gives me hope:

A couple came to me last year. They were done. Papers drawn up. Separated. Just going through the motions of counseling to "say we tried."

The wife said: "I don't love him anymore. I don't even LIKE him."
The husband said: "I've given up. She'll never see me differently."

We started working together anyway.

Slowly, things shifted:
• They learned to communicate without attacking
• They started understanding each other's unmet needs
• They rebuilt trust through consistent small actions
• They rediscovered why they chose each other

Six months later?

They renewed their vows.

The wife told me: "I didn't think it was possible to feel this way again. I'm so glad we didn't give up."

I'm not sharing this to say every marriage can or should be saved.

I'm sharing this to say:

If you're both willing to do the work, transformation IS possible.

What feels dead can come back to life.
What feels broken can be repaired.
What feels hopeless can become beautiful again.

But only if you're BOTH committed to the process.

If you're struggling and wondering if there's hope—there is.

But hope requires action.

Don't wait until it's too late.

📞 Ready to fight for your marriage? Let's talk.

01/09/2026

MARRIAGE MYTH: "We just aren't compatible anymore." ❌

I hear this constantly from struggling couples:

"We've grown apart."
"We want different things."
"We're just not compatible."

Here's what I've learned after years of marriage counseling:

COMPATIBILITY ISN'T DISCOVERED. IT'S CREATED.

You don't find the perfect person and live happily ever after.
You choose an imperfect person and build a life together.

The couples who stay "compatible" are the ones who:

✅ Adapt as each person grows and changes
✅ Communicate about evolving needs and desires
✅ Make compromises and adjustments
✅ Choose each other repeatedly
✅ Work through differences instead of running from them

Incompatibility is often just:
• Poor communication
• Unmet expectations
• Lack of effort
• Growing in different directions because you stopped growing TOGETHER

The good news?

You can rebuild compatibility.
You can reconnect.
You can create a new chapter together.

But only if you're both willing to do the work.

"We're not compatible" is often code for "This is hard and I don't know if I want to try."

And that's okay to admit.

But don't confuse temporary distance with permanent incompatibility.

Have you ever felt "incompatible" with your spouse? What helped you reconnect?

Share your wisdom below! 👇

01/06/2026

Check out our new guide to transforming your relationship with a few daily habits at https://themarriagespecialist.com/daily-habits-to-transform-your-relationship/

Strong relationships aren’t built overnight, but nurtured. With small, consistent actions, you can create trust, intimacy, and joy. You don’t need grand

01/06/2026

Every couple faces challenges. The difference between drifting apart and growing stronger is how you navigate them. 🌱

Learn strategies that actually work: https://themarriagespecialist.com/

01/02/2026

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION: MAKE YOUR MARRIAGE A PRIORITY 🎯

Every January, people set goals for:
• Fitness
• Career advancement
• Financial improvement
• Personal growth

But how many set goals for their MARRIAGE?

Your marriage is the foundation for everything else in your life.

When your marriage is strong:
✅ You're happier
✅ You're healthier
✅ You're more productive
✅ You're a better parent
✅ You're more fulfilled

When your marriage is struggling:
❌ Everything else suffers

This year, make your marriage a priority with these practical goals:

1️⃣ **Weekly Date Nights** - Non-negotiable time together
2️⃣ **Daily Check-Ins** - 15 minutes of undistracted conversation
3️⃣ **Monthly Marriage Meetings** - Discuss goals, concerns, dreams
4️⃣ **Quarterly Getaways** - Reconnect away from daily stress
5️⃣ **Read One Marriage Book Together** - Keep learning and growing
6️⃣ **Attend Marriage Counseling** - Invest in professional guidance

You wouldn't expect your body to stay healthy without exercise.
You wouldn't expect your career to grow without effort.

Why would you expect your marriage to thrive without intentional investment?

Make 2026 the year your marriage gets the attention it deserves.

Which marriage goal resonates most with you? Comment the number! 👇

Need help getting started? We're here for you.

12/22/2025

Your spouse should want to be in a relationship with you, NOT the version of you that has nothing outside of the relationship! 💖 Make sure you take the time to grow your individual identity!

Want some help? Check out the support and resources at https://themarriagespecialist.com/

12/20/2025

Have you become less of an individual after marriage? We can help you keep your individuality while still being devoted to your family. Learn more at https://themarriagespecialist.com/

12/17/2025

THE BEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE YOUR SPOUSE THIS YEAR 🎁

It's not jewelry.
It's not a new gadget.
It's not an expensive vacation.

It's the gift of ATTENTION.

In a world of constant distraction, the most precious thing you can give your spouse is your undivided presence.

This holiday season, give:

💝 20 minutes of conversation without phones
💝 A date night with no distractions
💝 Eye contact during conversations
💝 Active listening when they share their day
💝 Presence, not just proximity

Because here's the truth:

Your spouse doesn't need more things.
They need more of YOU.

Not the distracted, half-present, multitasking version of you.
The fully engaged, attentive, "you have my complete focus" version of you.

That's the gift that matters.
That's the gift that strengthens marriages.
That's the gift that says "You're worth my time."

What's one way you can give your spouse the gift of attention this week?

Share below! 👇