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Sticky Bonds

Lost Loves, Romances, and Families in the 21st Century.

Friends
Visting a Mourner? What Not to Say

Nancy Kalish Ph.D. on August 7, 2014

My mother just died. Some words of condolence are helpful and others not so much. Here is a list, with the help of other mourners I've encountered, of helpful things you can do, and what not to say.

My mother just died. Some words of condolence are helpful and others not so much. Here is a list, with the help of other mourners I've encountered, of helpful things you can do, and what not to say.

Relationships
Wanting To Be In The 5% Who Stay Together

Nancy Kalish Ph.D. on June 1, 2014

Only 5% of my most recent survey participants in extramarital affairs wound up married to their lost love partners. One or both of them did not leave their marriages for each other. The affair ended, usullay not mutually.

The members of my website have chosen this statistic as a personal goal: "I want to be that 5%." But this is a misinterpretation of survey findings.

Only 5% of my most recent survey participants in extramarital affairs wound up married to their lost love partners. One or both of them did not leave their marriages for each other. The affair ended, usullay not mutually.

The members of my website have chosen this statistic as a personal goal: "I want to be that 5%." But this is a misinterpretation of survey findings.

Health
It's National Purebred Dog Day

Nancy Kalish Ph.D. on May 2, 2014

I did not rescue my dog. I purchased her from a reputable briard breeder. Shouldn't each family choose those whom they wish to live with, without moralistic criticism?

I did not rescue my dog. I purchased her from a reputable briard breeder. Shouldn't each family choose those whom they wish to live with, without moralistic criticism?

Relationships
An 8 Point Lost Love Reality Check

Nancy Kalish Ph.D. on April 1, 2014

A woman trying to recover from a lost love affair writes down reminders to herself so she can let go. Perhaps this can help some of you, too.

A woman trying to recover from a lost love affair writes down reminders to herself so she can let go. Perhaps this can help some of you, too.

Divorce
Lost Loves Reunited: Overcoming Obstacles

Nancy Kalish Ph.D. on March 1, 2014

Couples who have successful lost love reunions usually had young romances that were working well, but then took a bad turn. These men and women may go through life wondering, "What if?" Years later, if those obstacles are gone and if the two are widowed or divorced, they can reunite successfully. Here is one love story.

Couples who have successful lost love reunions usually had young romances that were working well, but then took a bad turn. These men and women may go through life wondering, "What if?" Years later, if those obstacles are gone and if the two are widowed or divorced, they can reunite successfully. Here is one love story.

Sex
With an Ex, Is It Ever "Just Lunch"?

Nancy Kalish Ph.D. on January 31, 2014

Many happily married people want to see their lost loves. They firmly believe they can control their actions and not "cross the line" with sexual contact. Can they?

Many happily married people want to see their lost loves. They firmly believe they can control their actions and not "cross the line" with sexual contact. Can they?

Relationships
Your Lost Love Has Aged. Does It Matter?

Nancy Kalish Ph.D. on December 1, 2013

A woman wonders: "How do men view their lost loves years later, after the weight has come on, and the wrinkles are showing? If the man were actually to become single again, would he REALLY want the older version of us? Or would he want a young, firm woman who is half his age?

A woman wonders: "How do men view their lost loves years later, after the weight has come on, and the wrinkles are showing? If the man were actually to become single again, would he REALLY want the older version of us? Or would he want a young, firm woman who is half his age?

Relationships
More on Birthparents and Lost Love: The Fathers

Nancy Kalish Ph.D. on October 1, 2013

Young mothers who gave up children for adoption years ago often feel like they are missing a lost love. Vietnam veterans who fathered and left children behind after the war often have the same feelings.

Young mothers who gave up children for adoption years ago often feel like they are missing a lost love. Vietnam veterans who fathered and left children behind after the war often have the same feelings.

Therapy
Wanted: Calm, Happy Dog, Cat, or Rabbit for Therapy Team

Nancy Kalish Ph.D. on September 1, 2013

Empirical evidence for the therapeutic value of animal-assisted therapy continues to grow. But many community facilities are stuck on waiting lists -- they want to start receiving animal-assisted therapy services, but there are not enough animal/handler teams.

Empirical evidence for the therapeutic value of animal-assisted therapy continues to grow. But many community facilities are stuck on waiting lists -- they want to start receiving animal-assisted therapy services, but there are not enough animal/handler teams.

Relationships
"Buy an Amulet! Win Back Your Lost Love!" Really?

Nancy Kalish Ph.D. on August 4, 2013

Sellers on the website taobao.com are offering amulets to win back lost loves. The Shanghai Daily reports that merchants are earning hundreds of thousands of yuan each month just by selling these amulets to people desperate to win back their former sweethearts.

Sellers on the website taobao.com are offering amulets to win back lost loves. The Shanghai Daily reports that merchants are earning hundreds of thousands of yuan each month just by selling these amulets to people desperate to win back their former sweethearts.

Relationships
Does Everyone Secretly Yearn for a Lost Love?

Nancy Kalish Ph.D. on July 31, 2013

Comparing research participants who rekindled romances with lost loves with participants who did not reunite with lost loves showed surprising characteristics of these first love romances.

Comparing research participants who rekindled romances with lost loves with participants who did not reunite with lost loves showed surprising characteristics of these first love romances.

Attachment
Is Your Dog Bonded to You Like a Baby?

Nancy Kalish Ph.D. on June 30, 2013

The researchers found that when the owners were absent, the dogs were less likely to work for the reward than when the owners were present.

The researchers found that when the owners were absent, the dogs were less likely to work for the reward than when the owners were present.

Relationships
Men ARE More Romantic

Nancy Kalish Ph.D. on April 21, 2013

A new book reports on a survey of 100,000 participants and their "love at first sight" experiences.

A new book reports on a survey of 100,000 participants and their "love at first sight" experiences.

Relationships
Facebook "Surveillance" of Ex Partners Thwarts Healing

Nancy Kalish Ph.D. on April 5, 2013

Research participants who spent a lot of time on an ex's Facebook page were less able to recover from the breakup than people who avoided following their lost loves online.

Research participants who spent a lot of time on an ex's Facebook page were less able to recover from the breakup than people who avoided following their lost loves online.

Relationships
Cold Feet Before the Wedding?

Nancy Kalish Ph.D. on February 2, 2013

It's one thing to have last minute doubts about the person you are going to marry; it's something else altogether to have doubts because you really love someone else.

It's one thing to have last minute doubts about the person you are going to marry; it's something else altogether to have doubts because you really love someone else.