love and relationships

Why Am I Always Initiating Sex?

Posted on 04/19/2013 by Dr. Pepper Schwartz | Sex & Relationships | Comments

Home & Family | RelationshipsQ: I am a healthy, attractive, active 70-year-old woman who still enjoys sex. My younger partner (by seven years) is rarely interested in making love and I have to initiate it most times. I’ve tried talking to him, in a non-blaming way, but he clams up, stating there is nothing wrong. What should I do? Dr. Pepper Schwartz: Ask him: If there is nothing wrong, then what’s the harm in talking about why he is not interested in sex these …

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

Posted on 12/3/2012 by Dr. Pepper Schwartz | Sex & Relationships | Comments

Relationships | Your LifeQ: I have been dating a man for roughly 11/2 years. A few months ago I told him I loved him. He said it too, but only in response to me having said it. I noticed that that was the only time he would say it, so I stopped saying it with the hope that he would notice and eventually ask why. He never did and he also never told me he loved me first. I finally talked to him …

I Don’t Want to Have Sex With My Overweight Wife

Posted on 11/20/2012 by Dr. Pepper Schwartz | Sex & Relationships | Comments

Home & Family | RelationshipsQ: I’m a man who has been married for 34 years. I love my soulmate, but I don’t have it in me anymore to make love to her when she’s overweight and has been for some time. I just can’t do it anymore. And now I feel depressed with no romance. I have no desire for sex anymore and I know my wife is aware. I love her and feel as if there is nothing left but to wait until …

A Tricky Love Triangle?

Posted on 10/26/2012 by Dr. Pepper Schwartz | Sex & Relationships | Comments

Home & Family | RelationshipsQ: I recently ran into an old lover who is now a widower. I was once very much in love with this man and after seeing him again, I find that I am still strongly attracted to him. I am married, my spouse is impotent and I am a very sexual person who needs touching and affection to feel wanted and loved. My spouse won’t even hold my hand when I beg! I am torn. I still respect my spouse, …

Are You Even Listening to Me?

Posted on 10/24/2012 by Dr. Pepper Schwartz | Sex & Relationships | Comments

Home & Family | RelationshipsQ: Why is it that when a couple is trying to communicate, the conversation can get lost when one spouse gets upset before the problem is resolved? The conversation then becomes about arguing and isn’t productive. How does one fix this? Dr. Pepper Schwartz: It’s a great question. Not everyone says what they mean or means what they say — and it costs a lot of extra heartache. There is a style of communicating that you may want to look …

A Dating Story: A Widow’s First Time Out

Posted on 09/25/2012 by Tammy Gordon | AARP Blog Author | Comments

Relationships | Your LifeFelice Shapiro is a writer, entrepreneur, and publisher as well as the founder of Better After 50, a weekly online magazine. In addition to being a teacher and avid runner, hiker, and yogi, she is an AARP contributor. After my husband died, I remembered hearing that, according to the Jewish religion, a widow was required to mourn for 30 days and then she could “get back out there.” And, what’s more, the brother–in-law was expected to marry his brother’s widow …Oh …