24 Gay-Friendly First Date Ideas for a Safe, Fun Time
Safety is key in queer dating, but drinking doesn’t have to be. Choosing a shared activity can help you make a genuine connection while keeping things playful.…
3 Tips for Dating Someone Who Lives With Their Ex
If you’re dating someone who lives with their ex, there are 3 things experts recommend doing: be cautious, express your concerns, and trust your instincts. …
What Is Alloparenting? Raising Kids in a Community
Alloparenting is when children receive care and guidance from adults around them beyond their parents. It can have benefits for everyone.…
Sexual Fluidity in Women and Men: What the Research Says
Sexual fluidity is surprisingly common in men and women. It’s influenced by many factors, including your biology and social situation.…
Expert Insights
How to Break the Cycle of Generational Trauma: Expert Q&A
You can short-circuit generational trauma so it doesn’t run your life or pass on to your kids, but it requires a lot of courage, self-reflection, and work.…
Why Talking to Strangers and Meeting New People Is Scary, and How to Do It Anyway
Starting a conversation with a stranger “in the wild” can be overwhelming. Expert Alaina Provenzano, LCSW, recommends a mindset and a few baby steps to try.…
How to Deal with Difficult Family Members During the Holidays
Dealing with difficult family members during the holidays is all about getting uncomfortable, says expert Caleb Birkhoff. Read more in our interview. …
Mindfulness and Relationships: Expert Q&A with Ellen Langer
Harvard mindfulness expert Ellen Langer talks about why mindfulness is a powerful way to improve your relationships, and how to harness it.…
Feeling Disconnected: AI, Social Isolation, Block Parties, and Health
We spoke with Yale expert Yusuf Ransome about social isolation and its effects on health — for individuals, neighborhoods, and society.…
How “Core Negative Image” Work Can Improve Your Relationship
The “Core Negative Image” (CNI) is a powerful relationship tool you can use to talk with your partner about your worst versions of each other. It can be a game changer.…
Opinions
10 Principles of Emotional Responsibility I’m Teaching My Kids
When one person blames another for their own feelings or behavior, it’s unjust and can lead to conflict. Here’s how I teach my kids how to “stay in your lane.”…
Why Making “Willing Sacrifices” in a Relationship Is Essential
Healthy relationships involve compromise. Relationship therapist Erin Davidson outlines how to compromise without fueling resentment. …
You’re Not Responsible for Your Partner’s Sexual Satisfaction
The only desire you’re responsible for is your own. Sex therapist Erin Davidson explains how to cope with a libido discrepancy.…
Relationship News
Reading Literary Fiction May Make You More Emotionally Intelligent
But popular fiction may not have the same benefits.…
Your Co-Parent’s Bad Boss May Impact You More Than You Think
A study found a person’s feelings about their boss seemed to have a major knock-on effect on their co-parent, affecting their performance at work and with the kids.…
When Looking Fancy Might Not Be Favorable
New research reveals that people may choose to avoid wearing luxury brands when they want to convince others they can collaborate well on a team.…
Colleagues May Want Your Feedback More Than You Think
People want constructive feedback, but, curiously, they underestimate just how much other people want it, too, according to research.…
Research-Backed Advice
What Is Breadcrumbing? 10 Signs It’s Happening to You
Being breadcrumbed isn’t just a waste of your time. It can lead to real mental health issues. If you see these signs, it may be time to walk away.…
Staying Emotionally Connected in a Long-Distance Relationship: 4 Top Tips
Learning how to stay emotionally connected in a long-distance relationship is key to making it work. We also share advice on how to create intimacy from afar.…
Don’t Ghost: Here’s a Better Way to End It With Someone
When you ghost instead of breaking up with someone directly, you might do it to spare the other’s feelings. But there are long-term rewards for not ghosting.…
24 Gay-Friendly First Date Ideas for a Safe, Fun Time
Safety is key in queer dating, but drinking doesn’t have to be. Choosing a shared activity can help you make a genuine connection while keeping things playful.…
5 Reasons People Cheat in Long-Distance Relationships
Reasons people cheat in long-distance relationships include lack of physical intimacy, need for emotional connection, poor communication, and low self-esteem.…
3 Tips for Dating Someone Who Lives With Their Ex
If you’re dating someone who lives with their ex, there are 3 things experts recommend doing: be cautious, express your concerns, and trust your instincts. …
What Is Gaslighting? Examples and How to Protect Yourself
Gaslighting is emotional abuse that manipulates someone into questioning their reality, memory or perceptions. It can lead to a reliance on the gaslighter.…
What Is Alloparenting? Raising Kids in a Community
Alloparenting is when children receive care and guidance from adults around them beyond their parents. It can have benefits for everyone.…
Sexual Fluidity in Women and Men: What the Research Says
Sexual fluidity is surprisingly common in men and women. It’s influenced by many factors, including your biology and social situation.…
What Do Women Fantasize About? 8 Common Sex Fantasies
What do women fantasize about? Everything — but a few sex fantasies are incredibly common. …
Books
14 Best Lesbian Romance Novels: Literary, Genre, and Steamy
We’ve scoured the internet and our friends’ brains for the best lesbian romance novels in literary and genre fiction that are actually worth the read.…
7 Best Steamy Historical Romance Novels
Discover the steamiest historical romance novels that blend rich historical detail with sweeping love stories. Check out our curated list.…
17 Inclusive Children’s Books About Diverse Families
From multiracial households to LGBTQ+ parents, these stories foster understanding and inclusivity, enhancing young readers’ perspectives. …
Shopping
Best Beginner Dildo: 10 Options for Newbies
Looking for the best beginner dildos for beginners? We’ve found the best 10. Our experts give you ideas on how to pick sex toys, how to use them and how to clean them.…
15 Board Games for Couples: Game Night, Travel, Spicy, & More
Board games are a way to bring fun back into your quality time with your partner. They’re like fun-containing supplements you can take when you’re running low.…
10 Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Candy Lovers
Discover unique gifts for candy lovers, from luxury treats to subscription boxes to candy-related ideas sure to delight!…
Sexy Valentine’s Day Gifts: 10 Spicy Ideas
Explore sexy Valentine’s Day gifts to boost happiness and intimacy. Find unique ideas like X-rated coloring books and boudoir photo albums.…
9 Best Kinky Valentine’s Gifts for Her, Him, and Them
Spice up Valentine’s Day with a kinky gift! Explore exciting options like nipple clamps, wax candles, and games for her, him, and them. …
Free Valentine’s Day Gifts: 10 No-Spend Ideas
Ideas for everyone, whether or not you intend on spending money this Valentine’s Day.…
Basics
View all Basics →We believe in shared well-being
Welcome to Relationship Smart — evidence-based relationship advice and insights for everyone.
We want to help you cultivate healthy, fulfilling, joyful
relationships. Because relationship-care is self-care.
Trustworthy and accurate information is essential. That’s why all
our articles are grounded in peer-reviewed research and insights
from certified therapists, researchers, and other
educated relationship experts.