The connection we have with our friends can be just as important as our connection with a partner. However, balancing our friendships with our romantic relationships can be difficult. Listen to today's show to learn how to communicate with all parties and balance our friendships with our romantic relationships.    In this episode we discuss relationship advice topics that include: How are friendships can change as we enter new stages of life and how to deal with this.  Stepping away from your romantic relationship for restoration and time to nurture friendships.  Balancing the guilt about being away from your romantic partner and/or kids.  Friendships with other couples.  And much more! Dr. Alexandra H. Solomon is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Northwestern University and a licensed clinical psychologist at The Family Institute at Northwestern University. In addition to writing articles and chapters for leading academic journals and books in the field of marriage and family, she is the author of the book Loving Bravely: Twenty Lessons of Self-Discovery to Help You Get the Love You Want (New Harbinger, 2017). Full show notes and episode links at: http://idopodcast.com/198 Sign up for our 14 Day Happy Couples Challenge here: 14 Day Happy Couples Challenge Join our 5 Day Couples Appreciation Challenge here: idopodcast.com/appreciation Do you want to hear more on this topic? Continue the conversation on our Facebook Group here: Love Tribe Sponsors ForHers: Get you first month of birth control for just $5 right now while supplies last (and subject to doctor approval). See website for full details. Go to ForHers.com/ido. Restrictions apply, see website for full details and safety information. Spark My Relationship Course: For a limited time, get access to our bonus, Mastering Money Talk In Your Marriage! Visit  SparkMyRelationship.com/Unlock for our special offer just for our I Do Podcast listeners! If you love this episode (and our podcast!), would you mind giving us a review in iTunes? It would mean the world to us and we promise it only takes a minute. Many thanks in advance! - Chase & Sarah