Can you become friends after the break-up?

Answer: Yes and no. Sure we all know couples who are tighter after they split up but this is a rare situation and I personally think that these types of friendships still harbor unresolved issues from the relationship that make it so that neither party is ready or able to fully move on. While being openly hostile to an ex also demonstrates unresolved issues/feelings and an inability to move forward, being buddy-buddy with a former flame is not as mature and civilized as it may seem on the surface. That said it is more than possible, and the most desirable thing, if you and an ex can reach a place of peaceful co-existence and mutual respect. Please share  your opinions below....

How to Cope When Your Parents Don't Like the Person You Love

It will probably happen to you at least once in your life. You'll fall for somebody that your parents don't like. Sometimes their disapproval will be valid, other times it will be irrational, but no matter what it will be hard for you to deal with.
What do you do when your parents can't stand the person you’re dating? Before taking on the role of diplomat, or even worse the role of family agitator, there are some things that you need to examine. You need to take an honest look at your romantic motivations and the reasons for your parents' objections.

Examining Your Motivations

Why are you dating this person? Be brutally honest. Are you crazy in love or loving driving your parents crazy? If you are motivated by rebellion the simplest and right thing to do is end the relationship.
It isn't fair for you to use somebody else to get to your parents. With the relationship out of the way you will be able to focus on the real issue of why you feel the need to resort to such drastic rebellion in the first place.

Do you have real and deep feelings for this person, or do you have less heart felt reasons for the relationship? Are you dating this

9 WAYS TO SHOW SOMEONE YOU LOVE THEM WITHOUT WORDS ...

Telling someone you love them, that’s one thing; but when you show someone you love them, that’s a whole other thing. How much weight you add behind this four letter word gives meaning to what you say, simply because the fundamental fact remains that action speaks louder than words. Think back to the times when someone said they loved you and when they backed up their confession with gestures. There’s a difference, isn't there? So, say it, (scratch that), show it. Show someone you love them before it’s too late.

1. ACTIVELY LISTEN

Even the simplest of gestures to show your love can make someone melt like butter on a stack of hot pancakes... and it doesn't get any simpler than listening. Listen to every word that escapes their parted lips even when it seems a little boring. And when they ask you, "Have I told you this before?," say "Yes, but tell it again," and act like you have forgotten a detail or two because they love telling this particular story and they chose you to share it with you (again)! Don’t be distracted, don’t interrupt, just listen. Listen to show someone you love them.

2. RANDOM SURPRISES

You will learn a lot about a person when you really listen to what they say, even in casual conversation. I remember once at a supermarket I casually mentioned to a friend what my favourite childhood cereal was. Ever since then, whenever I am upset, she brings me a box or two. It’s small surprises like this that lets someone know you love them. When they say, "OMG! You remembered!" that’s when you know you did it right! That’s when you are letting them know even the slightest detail about them is worth remembering.

3. TIME

Always make time for the people you love. It is understandable when you have to cancel plans because you are busy, but hardly making the effort to set aside time to meet up can convey that you are simply not interested. Set aside time to show your love even if it is picking the phone to call someone. "When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life you’ll never get back." – Rick Warren

4. DON’T SAY I TOLD YOU

To error is human nature, and sometimes regardless of their better judgement, they still make the mistake. Has there been a time when you told someone not to do something because you knew they would regret it, but they still did it anyway? Yes, you knew better but telling someone "I told you so" is not going to make them feel better. The mistake is done and they too know they should have listened to you. Comfort them instead and remind them that everyone messes up, and that it is more important to learn from their mistake than to dwell on it.

5. DON’T WAIT TO BE ASKED

Part of loving someone is making their life easier. This doesn't always have to be executed in grand gestures, like loaning money to a friend or family member or driving them across the state. It can be in the small things too, like taking the trash out without being asked, or once in a while doing something for them which they don’t like doing. I hate cleaning the hair out of my hairbrush. It just irks me and I practically cringe my face every time I clean it. I have a friend who noticed this and still cleans it for me despite my protest not to do so.

6. COOK YOUR HEART OUT

They say the way to man’s (or woman’s) heart is through his (or her) stomach. Most people usually cook on special occasions like birthdays and Valentine’s Day, but why not choose a random day instead to cook for that special person? Find out their favourite dishes and maybe even go all the way with table settings and a customized menu. Nothing says "I love you" like a home-cooked meal laboured in love. Bonus if you can cook for them and surprise them at their workplace!

7. FORGIVE AND FORGET

Sometimes the very people you love can hurt you the most and it is precisely because you love them that it stings a lot more. But with love comes forgiveness and you shouldn't say you have forgiven them only to throw their mistake in their face while having a fight. It is hard to forgive and forget because once you are hurt your defense mechanism is up, and you don’t want to be vulnerable again. So, while you say you forgive, you hold on to that grievance and that’s not really forgiving or forgetting, is it? Just remember that no one is perfect and it is worth it when it comes to forgiving and forgetting the slip-ups of someone you love.

8. CARE PACKAGE

This one is for all those loved ones living a little too far away from you than you would like them to be. Distance is no reason to slow down on the love you have to give. A care package of the little things you know they will like or need is just what you need to show you love them. There are so many ideas online of what you can put in a care package or how to make it extra special. Seal your love in a care package and send it to someone you love dearly who may be far in distance but not too far for your love.

7 REASONS GIRLS ARE ATTRACTED TO BAD BOYS AND HOW TO CURB IT...

There are reasons girls are attracted to bad boys. Unfortunately, not every story that involves a bad boy has a happy ending. Many of the endings are sad and leave a girl heartbroken. If you talk to a woman past her mid-twenties, you usually find out about how there was a bad boy in her past and about the lesson she learned from that experience. Let’s talk about the reasons girls are attracted to bad boys and how to move past that.

1. IT’S A CHALLENGE

One of the reasons girls are attracted to bad boys is that they seem like a challenge to them. It is something they have to work for. It isn’t always easy to get a bad boy’s attention. You don’t always learn there is a reason for that till much later. The reason is usually because a classic bad boy’s mind is on other things besides finding a good, caring girl to date.

2. THEY  BELIEVE THEY  CAN TAME THEM

Girls very mistakenly believe that they can tame a bad boy. There are very rare occasions when this is true. Usually, in those cases, a bad boy had a very good heart underneath his bad boy exterior, or the bad boy exterior wasn’t the true person; it was just an act. For the most part, a bad boy is not going to change his ways. He is who he is and only he can change that, not you.

3. IT’S EXCITING

Dating a bad boy seems exciting. That is the case at first, but trying to have a real relationship with a bad boy is not easy because this excitement becomes stress. Their antics get old quickly. If you are wondering how I know all of these things, I made the mistake of spending part of my life with a bad boy, too. It did not have a very happy ending, so I hope I can shed some light on this subject to save you the trouble.

4. IT’S REBELLIOUS

Sometimes dating a bad boy seems like it goes against everything you have ever known. It is different and new. It can seem like a whole new world to you. But it does not always open a part of the world that you want to see or be a part of. Think carefully before you head down this path.

5. THEY  SEEM LIKE A PRIZE

A bad boy can seem like a prize. After all, no one can get them in a committed relationship but you, right? This can make a girl feel like she is really special. But this prize does not always feel like a prize after a while. It can actually bring you a lot of heartache.

6. THEY ARE CHARMING

Bad boys can be charming. They have usually learned to stay out of as much trouble as they can by being this way. But charming is not the same thing as true and real personality traits. Charm can disappear when things don’t go their way. Don’t be taken in by this alone.

7. THEY HAVE COOL  TASTE

Let’s just be honest here, girls. A lot of times bad boys do have good taste. They drive cool cars, maybe a bike, they wear good clothes. They have the ability to just look cool. But appearances can be deceiving and cool taste really doesn't matter that much in the grand scheme of things, does it?

Getting involved with a bad boy can lead to a lot of heartache later on for you. Have you learned this lesson the hard way? What traits do you now look for in a guy?

7 TIPS FOR MOVING ON WHILE STILL IN LOVE WITH YOUR EX ...

It can be really difficult when you're moving on while still in love with your ex. Breaking up is hard, especially when love is involved, but that doesn't mean that you can't work on moving on while still in love with your ex. Exes come and go, and you've got to be able to toughen up and really get over them. Take a look below on how to move on while you are still in love with your ex girlfriends or boyfriends!

1. WORK ON FORGIVING YOURSELF

Always, when you're moving on while still in love with your ex, work on forgiving yourself. It sounds way easier than it is, but you need to do it. Forgive yourself for losing yourself in the relationship, allow yourself time to really get to know yourself. Remember, all relationships that end are hard, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to get over it. You've just got to try!

2. PRACTICE RELEASING REGRETS

Releasing all of your regrets is one surefire way to move on when you're still in love with your ex. You could write down all of your regrets on a piece of paper and burn it; that way you can completely forget about them. Releasing your regrets is really going to allow more room in your mind and soul for someone to step in.

3. REMEMBER THE BAD TIMES

Dwelling on the good times isn't going to help you really get over and move on from your relationship, you've got to dwell on the bad times. Think about all of the fights that you had, think about all of the bad times that he or she ruined, think about all of the horrible times in your relationship. Know what they are, so that you won't repeat them in the future or fool yourself into believing an idyllic view of your relationship.

4. RECONNECT WITH OLD FRIENDS

Moving on should be all about reconnecting with old friends. You want to maintain friendships that you might not have had when you were with your ex. Ask a friend you haven't seen for ages over for coffee – catch up and see what happens! This is truly one of the best steps for moving forward in your life!

5. CREATE A DEEP SEPARATION

When you and your ex finally call it completely quits, you've got to cut off all of the communication. I know it's hard, but why keep their number in your phone? Why keep texting them or calling them? Why do you need to talk to them constantly when you are trying to get over them?

6. GO THROUGH THE GRIEVING

Grieving your relationship is a natural process – and one that you need to go through. You need to make sure that you are going through this process, otherwise you might never, ever move on completely. Remember, it's natural to eat ice cream and cry. Let yourself!

7. REMEMBER THE BENEFITS OF MOVING ON

Finally, think of all of the different benefits of moving on! You finally have the time to be single, to go out whenever you want without someone keeping your time. You finally have all of the free time in the world and no one tying you down. Keep that in mind!

These are just a few of the things that can absolutely help you move on, even if you are in love with your ex. So, have you ever been in love with an ex or can't get over one? Give up your story!

Is He Into Me, Or Is It Just Sex?

Many men will answer under the gun but it might not be the authentic and sincere
response you're hoping for. Also, different people communicate their affections in
different ways.
While frequent sex is a clear indication of your man's physical interest in you,
gauging his other interests/intentions require paying attention to his actions of
affection. How can you know if he likes you in other ways?
Pay attention to the ways your guy connects with you:

Does he phone or text to just connect or is it always a booty call?

Does he express words or messages of endearment? Words expressing affection
and care?

Perhaps he does things for you to help you out when you're having a hard day or
are faced with a difficult task?

Gifts of any kind? Large or small? The simplest things can be the most endearing –
even a little note says a lot.

Does he ever go out of his way to do or share something special with you?

How likely is he to meet with you just for your company and not so much just for
sex?

Does he make time for you as a priority?

Lots to consider here. Answering these questions can give you clues as to how much
your lover might be thinking or caring about you beyond the sexual. Depending on
how new your relationship is, the extent to these affectionate efforts might differ.
And too, not everyone expresses their care and attention in the same way.
How do you like to be loved? Tell him that. You might find that the most important
indicator that he's thinking about, or likes you, is that he pays attention to your
preferences and makes deliberate attempts to connect with you on that level.
It's clear you connect on the physical level but that's hardly the full picture. Think
about how you like to be loved, tell him about it, and see if he can meet you there.
One way or another you'll discover if you're truly compatible in a deeper way.

How To Tell If A Man Is A Player

Here are some signs that indicate that a man is a player:

He Is Too Smooth
When a guy is a player, he is adept at striking conversations with girls, and is
usually suave in his flirting. Players know that girls are inherently attracted to
“studs” who are self-assured and confident, so they usually project a image of being
super cool and cocky.
They practice their opening lines, their conversation starters and some “flirty” jokes
and punch lines, with professional alacrity. They can “impress” a girl quite easily
with their mannerisms, body language and talk. Of course, most of it is completely
artificial and a “put on” purely for the purpose of catching a girl’s attention and
spiking her attraction.

He Flirts Openly And Boldly
When a guy is a player, his intention is to “capture” as many girls as he can. The
only way he’s going to accomplish this is by “flirting” as much as possible with as
many girls as possible. He will not lose time when he spots a likely target.
He will usually start off with deliberate eye contacts; you will notice that a player
maintains steady eye contact and does not look away when you look back at him. In
fact, he will give you a bold “playful” smile and wait for your reaction. If you look
inviting, he will start initiating friendly conversation and before long he will have
your contact number and may be even a “date”.
Men who are Players are really good at making eye contact. In contrast, most
“normal” guys are quite shy about making eye contact with a girl, and would usually
look away when the girl meets their eye. Players are bold in their approach, and
don’t come across a being shy about making eye contact, smiling or starting a
conversation, and flirting. It’s the quickness and boldness of their approach that
should tip you off.

He's A Bit Too "Interesting"
If guy triggers your attraction within a few moments of interaction, there’s a huge
possibility that he’s a player who is adept at pushing your buttons. When a guy is
only interested in having sex with you, he’s not going to waste time on “non sex”
hours. So he will try to up your attraction as quickly as he can. He will project
himself in such a manner that he comes across as the most “interesting” guy you’ve
ever met. For your own good, you should be cautious when a guy comes across as
being too interesting too soon.

He’s Keen On Physical Intimacy
Guys who are players don’t want to waste their time on developing any “emotional”
intimacy. The only thing they are interested in is physical intimacy and they go for it
as quickly as they can. They will start touching a girl by the first date, and might
even try kissing her. By the second date, they usually try to initiate some form of
physical intimacy. If they sense that a girl is too reserved or cautious, they usually
move on to more interesting prospects. You can almost sense a sexual tension in their
voice and body language, when they are with you on a date.

He Shows A Lot Of "Fake" Interest In You
A players knows that the easiest way to get a girl “swooning” over him is to give
her the “initial” importance. So he praises her, he “listens” to all her opinions and
views, he lets her talk and pretends to be really interested in everything she says, he
pampers her with attention, and basically he makes her feel like she has found her
“prince charming”.

He Triggers "impulsiveness" In You
Girls can get really impulsive when they are blinded in the moment of attraction.
A guy who is a player, knows this weakness in girls. So he will instigate feelings of
“sexual” attraction by his mannerisms and then quickly get her to act out the impulse.
Basically the players are looking for girls who are “easy”, these are the ones who
are impulsive and short-sighted when blinded by attraction. When you are in the
throes of attraction it’s easy to act out of impulse and have sex with him, only to
realize later that you’ve played for.
It’s actually easy to weed out a player. Just make him wait for sex, and if he starts
losing interest you know what his agenda was to start with. If a guy really loves
you, he will not mind waiting for sex till it feels right. This is how you know if a
man really loves you or just wants to have sex with you.
Just remember that if a guy comes across as being too smooth in his approach, it’s
basically because of the practiced ease – he’s just playing you like he has played
others. The only problem is that as a girl, you can get blinded in your attraction.

This article was in response to the question "how to tell if a man is a player?".
Please feel free to leave your comments below.