Podcasts > Dr. Laura Call of the Day > How Are We Doing?

How Are We Doing?

By Dr. Laura Schlessinger & SiriusXM

Dive into the deeply personal journey of a couple navigating the aftermath of infidelity on the "Dr. Laura Call of the Day" podcast. Host Laura Schlessinger engages with her callers with empathy and insightful advice, offering wisdom on the complex process of rebuilding a once-broken marriage. In this episode, the couple stands testament to the hard work required to reconstruct trust and intimacy in the shadow of betrayal.

Through the measured and sensitive guidance of Schlessinger and the callers' willingness to be vulnerable, the episode explores the nuanced emotions of hurt and distrust post-affair, emphasizing the significance of open communication and the power of simple, affectionate acts. Offering practical steps like silent embraces and shared quality time, Schlessinger assists the callers in the delicate dance of moving forward. The couple's commitment to growth under Schlessinger's tutelage is a thread of hope, highlighting the healing potential of dedicated effort and heartfelt support within relationships.

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How Are We Doing?

This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Mar 8, 2024 episode of the Dr. Laura Call of the Day

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How Are We Doing?

1-Page Summary

Improving the Marriage After an Affair

Laura Schlessinger has provided guidance to a couple striving to mend their relationship following an affair. She underscores the value of rebuilding trust and intimacy, and praises the couple for their determination to advance despite facing continual hurdles.

The Wife's Ongoing Hurt Feelings and Difficulty Trusting

Schlessinger recognizes that the wife's persistent emotional pain and distrust are natural reactions. She recommends that the wife should communicate openly about her protective instincts, prompting the husband to provide solace and support.

The Husband Tries to Regain Her Trust Through Affection and Attentiveness

The responsibility to alleviate the wife's lingering hurt lies with the husband, according to Schlessinger. Without directly addressing the distressing topic of the affair, he can comfort his wife through affectionate gestures and attentiveness, like embracing her or preparing cocoa, as a means of reassurance.

Rebuilding Trust and Intimacy Through Physical Touch and Quality Time

Schlessinger suggests spending time in silent embrace as a method for the couple to restore trust and grow closer, rather than dwelling on the painful memories that might hamper moving forward.

Calling on the Show Previously for Help Saving the Marriage

Exhibiting dedication to repairing their bond, the husband recalls employing Schlessinger's previous counsel, and he communicates their growth in a hopeful tone.

Continuing to Move Forward and Work on the Relationship

Acknowledging expected obstacles, Schlessinger remains optimistic about the couple's persistence in healing, encouraging them to continue reaching out for guidance on their journey towards a stronger union.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Laura Schlessinger provides guidance to a couple working on improving their marriage after an affair. She emphasizes the importance of rebuilding trust and intimacy. Schlessinger advises the husband to show affection and attentiveness to help regain his wife's trust. She suggests spending quality time together in silent embrace as a way to restore trust and strengthen their bond.

Counterarguments

  • While physical touch and quality time can be important, they may not be sufficient for rebuilding trust for everyone; some individuals may require more explicit communication or professional therapy to address the underlying issues.
  • The idea that the husband alone must alleviate the wife's hurt may overlook the need for mutual effort in healing and could potentially lead to an imbalance in the relationship dynamic.
  • The suggestion to avoid directly addressing the distressing topic of the affair might not be suitable for all couples, as some may find that openly discussing the affair is a necessary part of the healing process.
  • The focus on the husband's actions to regain trust could inadvertently minimize the importance of the wife's agency and her role in the healing process.
  • Encouraging the couple to continue working on their relationship is positive, but it is also important to recognize that in some cases, despite best efforts, a marriage may not be salvageable after an affair.
  • The advice provided may not be universally applicable, as cultural, personal, and situational differences can significantly impact how a couple might best approach healing after an affair.

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How Are We Doing?

Improving the Marriage After an Affair

Laura Schlessinger offers advice to a married couple seeking to heal their relationship after an affair. She addresses the complexities of rebuilding trust and intimacy and acknowledges the couple's commitment to moving forward despite ongoing challenges.

The Wife's Ongoing Hurt Feelings and Difficulty Trusting

Schlessinger acknowledges the wife's ongoing hurt feelings and difficulty trusting after the affair as normal. She advises her to communicate openly when she feels the need to protect herself, which is a cue for the husband to step in and offer comfort and support.

The Husband Tries to Regain Her Trust Through Affection and Attentiveness

Schlessinger counsels that it is the husband's responsibility to help protect his wife from her hurt feelings. He should do this by providing comfort without specifically discussing the painful subject of the affair. She suggests actions such as holding the wife and making her cocoa to offer reassurance and care.

Rebuilding Trust and Intimacy Through Physical Touch and Quality Time

Advice to Hold Each Other for Comfort Instead of Talking Through Past Hurts

To help rebuild trust and intimacy, Schlessinger advises the couple to spend quiet time holding each other for comfort instead of rehashing the negative past. She highlights that reflecting on past hurts can reinforce the wife's feelings of betrayal, making it difficult to move forward.

Calling on the Show Previously for Help Saving the Marriage

Gratitude for the Initia ...

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Improving the Marriage After an Affair

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Laura Schlessinger offers advice to a married couple on rebuilding trust and intimacy after an affair. She advises the wife to communicate openly about her feelings and the husband to provide comfort and support without directly discussing the affair. Schlessinger suggests physical touch and quality time as ways to rebuild trust and intimacy, emphasizing the importance of holding each other for comfort instead of dwelling on past hurts. She encourages the couple to continue working on their relationship despite challenges, acknowledging setbacks may occur but highlighting their commitment to improvement.
  • In the context of relationships, "burps" are minor setbacks or challenges that can occur during the process of rebuilding trust and intimacy after a significant issue like an affair. These setbacks may temp ...

Counterarguments

  • While acknowledging hurt feelings as normal is important, it may also be necessary to address the root causes of the affair to prevent future issues.
  • Trust may require more than just affection and attentiveness; it might also involve transparency, honesty, and a willingness to discuss uncomfortable topics.
  • Comfort without discussing the affair might not be sufficient for some individuals who need to talk about their feelings and the event to process and move on.
  • Physical touch and quality time are important, but they are not the only ways to rebuild trust and intimacy; communication and mutual understanding are also crucial.
  • Holding each other for comfort may not be effective for everyone; some individuals may need to talk through past hurts as part of their healing process.
  • Following advice is comm ...

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