Marriage and Family Health – Dr. Walt Larimore

17Jun 2013 by Walt Larimore

7 Things Teenage Boys Most Need

Being the parent of an adolescent boy is legendary for its difficulty. But according to one priest, who acts as a spiritual director for high school boys, just keeping in mind seven points can make for a better relationship with adolescent sons. (more…)

28May 2013 by Walt Larimore

The ABCD’s of Parenting – Part 7

Children's Health, Marriage and Family Health, Parenting

This is the seventh part in a series excerpted from my book God’s Design for the Highly Healthy Teen. DISCIPLINE We now come to the fourth letter—D for “Discipline.” Lifting up our teens with affirmation, blameless love, and connectedness is critical for their health. But like a table, a fourth leg is needed to keep things on an equilibrium—the leg of parental guidance and enforced boundaries. (more…)

27Apr 2012 by Walt Larimore

Studies: Children raised by lesbians not necessarily problem-free

Children's Health, Marriage and Family Health, Parenting, Woman's Health

Over the last few years, a few published studies have claimed that children raised by same-sex couples compare favorably to — and sometimes even better than — children raised by moms and dads on measures of self-esteem and academics. Those studies, in turn, have served as fodder for a media campaign that two loving parents are all children really need. Here are details that challenge that from a report in Citizen Link: (more…)

22Apr 2012 by Walt Larimore

Yet another study shows social value of monogamy

Marriage and Family Health, Medical Economics

When it comes to marriage and family structure, there’s a good reason nearly every modern society has encouraged monogamy as the accepted norm: Because it’s good for society. (more…)

18Mar 2012 by Walt Larimore

Judge: State cannot force pharmacies to sell contraceptives

Bioethics, Marriage and Family Health, Woman's Health

In a vote for sanity in the personal conscience debate in healthcare, the AP reports US District Judge Ronald Leighton ruled that "Washington state cannot force pharmacies to sell Plan B or other emergency contraceptives." Hallelujah! (more…)

03Mar 2012 by Walt Larimore

Many physicians foolishly treat self, family members

Marriage and Family Health, Medical Economics

American Medical News reports, "Professional ethics policies have long warned about the perils of physicians treating themselves or family members," and yet, "a 2011 survey of more than 1,000 physicians in North Carolina found that nearly half had treated themselves and that 85% had treated an immediate family member, significant other or close friend." (more…)

05Feb 2012 by Walt Larimore

Divorced adults have higher risk of early death

Children's Health, General Health, Marriage and Family Health

USA Today /Arizona Republic reports that a meta-analysis in published in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science reviewed "more than 30 published studies" and "found divorced adults have a significantly higher risk of early death compared with married adults. (more…)

23Jan 2012 by Walt Larimore

How parenthood makes life meaningful and how marriage makes parenthood bearable

Marriage and Family Health, Mental Health, Parenting

When Baby Makes Three, the 2011 State of Our Unions report from the National Marriage Project and the Institute for American Values, relies on nationally representative data to answer four important questions about contemporary family life: (more…)

18Dec 2011 by Walt Larimore

How to prevent holiday depression and stress

Marriage and Family Health, Mental Health

This last week, I saw three patients in the office all suffering from holiday depression. One was a grandmother who had suffered the tragic loss of her first grandchild this summer. Two others were people who had lost dear ones over the last few months. It was a good reminder to me to keep an eye out this season for those around me to whom Christmas may not be a joy, but an emotional roller coaster. (more…)

12Nov 2011 by Walt Larimore

The process of F-O-R-G-I-V-I-N-G

Marriage and Family Health, Mental Health, Spiritual Health

We tell people all the time that we have forgiven them, but the truth is, in most cases, we haven't really done so. If we say we have forgiven people but we harbor any resentment, bitterness, or anger of how badly they treated us, then we have not really forgiven them. How can we unload ourselves of this burden? (more…)

25Oct 2011 by Walt Larimore

Fathers less likely to die of heart-related problems than men who are childless

Marriage and Family Health, Men's Health

The AP reports that "dads are less likely to die of heart-related problems than childless men are," according to a study published in the journal Human Reproduction. (more…)

10Oct 2011 by Walt Larimore

Study says cohabiting parents do kids harm

Children's Health, General Health, Marriage and Family Health, Parenting

Unmarried, cohabiting parents may be putting their kids at risk for a host of personal problems according to a new report from the University of Virgina's National Marriage Project and the Institute for American Values. (more…)

17Jul 2011 by Walt Larimore

Dad’s good parenting may help daughters avoid risky sex

Children's Health, Marriage and Family Health, Parenting

The daughters of fathers with good parenting skills are less likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, a new study finds. (more…)

28Jun 2011 by Walt Larimore

MEDIA ALERT: Barb and I were featured on “Your Family Live”

Marriage and Family Health, Men's Health, Mental Health, Woman's Health

Today, Barb and I were interviewed on the Internet TV show, Your Family Live, about our book, His Brain, Her Brain: How divinely designed differences can strengthen your marriage. (more…)

19Jun 2011 by Walt Larimore

A well-loved child more likely to be a loving spouse

Children's Health, Marriage and Family Health, Parenting

The ability of men and women to have staying power and a strong level of commitment in their romantic relationships and marriage can be traced back to their early childhood and adolescence, a new study reports. (more…)

02Jun 2011 by Walt Larimore

How (and why) to increase the number of family meals at home

Children's Health, Marriage and Family Health, Nutritional Health, Obesity, Parenting

Family meals have long been an American tradition. During the past several decades, however, the American family has undergone radical changes—and family meals have changed at the same time. And as family meals have decreased, so has the physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual health of our children. (more…)

02Jun 2011 by Walt Larimore

Family meals reduce risk of children being overweight

Children's Health, Marriage and Family Health, Nutritional Health, Obesity, Parenting

The CNN "Eatocracy" blog reports, "A study in the journal Pediatrics finds that children and adolescents who share meals with their families at least three times per week are less likely to be overweight, eat unhealthy foods or be at risk for eating disorders." (more…)

31May 2011 by Walt Larimore

Children healthier in a two-parent home

Children's Health, Marriage and Family Health, Mental Health

Dr. Brad Wilcox, the Director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, recently offered an analysis of federal research that confirms what many of us know through our religious faith and long-held traditions—that children do best when raised in a two-parent home with a married mom and dad. (more…)

31May 2011 by Walt Larimore

Parents’ fighting can even affect infants

Children's Health, Marriage and Family Health, Mental Health, Parenting

The CNN "The Chart" blog reported that infants "exposed to their parents' marital discord may be more likely to experience sleep issues during toddlerhood," according to a study published in the journal Child Development. (more…)

29May 2011 by Walt Larimore

A Memorial Day Remembrance of My Dad: Major Philip B. Larimore, Jr.

Family Newsletter, Marriage and Family Health

This weekend, many of us will gather with family and friends for barbecues and picnics to celebrate Memorial Day, the unofficial kickoff to summer. But, at some point between the hot dogs, hamburgers, and volleyball, I hope each of us will take time to reflect on what Memorial Day is really about – remembering the American soldiers who have lost their lives in battle to protect the freedoms so many of us take for granted. (more…)

23May 2011 by Walt Larimore

Did you know premarital sex increases the later risk of divorce?

General Health, Marriage and Family Health, Mental Health

A recently released summary reviews the social science research over the past twenty years and reveals a strong correlation between premarital sexual activity and a significantly elevated risk of marital infidelity and divorce on later marriage. (more…)

16May 2011 by Walt Larimore

Men and women truly see things differently

Marriage and Family Health, Men's Health, Mental Health, Woman's Health

There are still some, particularly ardent feminists, who claim that men and women are innately the same and that gender differences are environmentally acquired. As one researcher wisely observed, "those who still believe this all share one characteristic in common -- they are childless." Now, another study reveals what virtually all of us instinctively understand and appreciate, males and females are as different as night and day. (more…)

13May 2011 by Walt Larimore

Long work hours linked to increased heart risks

Heart Health, Marriage and Family Health, Mental Health

While writing this blog, I was listening to Simon and Garfunkel singing, "Slow down, you move too fast. You need to make the morning last." At the same time, I found a Bloomberg News report claiming that "working overtime may be a killer, according to research that finds long hours on the job is a heart risk along with smoking, bad cholesterol and high blood pressure." (more…)

11May 2011 by Walt Larimore

MEDIA ALERT: WEDNESDAY, MAY 11 – Your Family Live

General Health, Marriage and Family Health, Mental Health, Parenting, Woman's Health

Today I'll be interviewed on the Internet TV show, Your Family Live. The show is aired, live, from 200 - 300 pm ET, and I'm tentatively scheduled to be on from about 235 - 250 pm ET. You can watch it live, or archived (after the show) here. The theme of the show is "Stressbusters for Moms." I'll be interviewed by my friends Yvette Maher and Juli Slattery. (more…)

08May 2011 by Walt Larimore

MOTHER’S DAY THOUGHT: A Baby’s Conversation with God

Marriage and Family Health, Parenting

A dear friend sent the note below to me. It is a beautiful little story of a conversation between God and an unborn child. It is a great tribute to Moms everywhere. I cannot find the name of the original author , but if anyone knows. please let me know so I can give due credit. (more…)

07May 2011 by Walt Larimore

MEDIA ALERT: MONDAY AND TUESDAY, MAY 9 AND 10

Marriage and Family Health, Mental Health, Woman's Health

Have you or woman you love suffered a miscarriage? Barb and I will discuss our difficult journey through four miscarriages with Dr. James Dobson on his nationally-syndicated radio program, Family Talk, on Monday, May 9 and Tuesday May 10. (more…)

07May 2011 by Walt Larimore

8 marriage rules to break, sometimes

Marriage and Family Health, Men's Health, Woman's Health

What if the traditional keys to a happy marriage, such as always share a bed, don't go to bed angry, honesty is the best policy, the kids come first, and so on, are, at least sometimes, wrong? According to a recent report, sometimes, those rules for wedded bliss can actually be outdated, even damaging. (more…)

04May 2011 by Walt Larimore

The Christian divorce rate myth (what you’ve heard is wrong)

Marriage and Family Health, Mental Health, Spiritual Health

It's been proclaimed from pulpits and blogs for years — Christians divorce as much as everyone else in America. But some scholars and family activists are questioning the oft-cited statistics, saying Christians who attend church regularly are more likely to remain wed. What's the truth? The answer may surprise you. (more…)

28Feb 2011 by Walt Larimore

Update on Anastasha’s Family — Exciting news!

Marriage and Family Health

Readers of this blog were deeply touched by the journey of family physician, Craig DeLisi, his wife, Tonya, and their children during the prenatal life, birth and death of their daughter and sister Anastasha. (You can read the series here) (more…)

19Jan 2011 by Walt Larimore

Ella Abortion Drug Falsely Called a “Contraceptive Pill”

Bioethics, Children's Health, Marriage and Family Health, Woman's Health

The ella® abortion drug has been billed by its distributor, the FDA, and abortion advocates as an improved "emergency contraceptive pill." It is available across the United States via prescription. Upon its release, Watson Pharmaceuticals, based in New Jersey, announced that ella® (ulipristal acetate) was available for women to obtain and use up to five days following unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure. While the company maintain the drug works only as a "contraceptive agent," the fact of the matter is that five days is sufficient time for conception to take place and confer into existence the life of a unique human being who needs only a nine month pregnancy to be born. Here are the details from LifeNews: “ella® is the first truly new emergency contraceptive option for U.S. women since 1999. It has…