How to Make a Long-Distance Relationship Last

Series Summary

Romance, some say, may not be an old concept in Western civilization. Our films are wont to add tumultuous love interests to ancient heroes like Beowulf, Achilles, Alexander, or Caesar, but many cultural theorists, textual experts, and sociologists have argued again and again that sexuality, which is the foundation for modern day romance, is a rather new creation of society, dating back merely a couple hundred years. According to many, romantic love, or the affection two souls generate when they find kindred spirits in one another, began in the French stories of knights and chivalry. More traditional research, however, claims to find evidence of romance and intimate love in all cultures throughout history. Truly, love is a strange and enigmatic thing. In this free video series on relationships facing long distances, abuse or rebound from previous relationships, a relationship author and talk show host shows how to deal with challenges in unhealthy and troubled relationships. Learn strategies for communicating, being romantic and listening. Get tips on identifying abuse and getting out of an abusive relationship. Learn how to deal with someone on the rebound and how to rebound from painful break-ups and divorces.

Video Transcript

"When the shock absorbers needs replacing, you will know, because the car will bounce. And, how do you have a successful, long distance relationship? This is Dr. Paul, author of "Boomer Girls, a Boomer Woman's Guide to Men and Dating". A long distance relationship is not the easiest thing. And, the only way to keep that long distance relationship successful, is to keep it from bouncing. Keep it smooth. And how do you keep it smooth? Well, number one, the last thing in the world you want to do, is to have arguments long distance. Why did they occur? Because you want to see the other, and you develop this emotional frustration, which results in arguments. Too often I've heard women, men, call my show, and say, I really wanted this relationship to happen, it was long distance, but we started fighting on the phone. And it's very simple, you're frustrated at not seeing each other. So, replace that shock absorber of a relationship bouncing, to a new shock absorber. Make it smooth and understand with each other, that we have to have no confrontations on the phone. We need to see each other, true, but we have to smooth out our conversations. Keep them romantic, keep them on an even keel, don't talk about the mundane. What did you do at work today, what did you do at work today? Forget about it. You don't care about what she did at work, and she doesn't care about what you did at work. You care about each other. Keep it smooth. Keep it romantic. OK? That'll work for you. This is Dr. Paul. May your fantasies of today, be your realities of tomorrow."