Last week, we enjoyed a few days in Niagara on the Lake and the Beamsville Bench and this week we’re heading to Norfolk County and Ottawa. Now that we’re grounded, road trips are becoming the norm. For some, a road trip is far less stressful than flying, but most couples and families find that tension can build in small spaces regardless of whether or not you’re on a plane, train or automobile.

View this post on Instagram

We're lucky to have Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Beamsville Bench so close to the city! We've taken a few trips to the area over the past few weeks and enjoyed great food, good wine & beautiful scenery. Here are a few highlights: . @PeninsulaRidge: lovely meals on the deck of a Queen Anne Revival style house surrounded by vines and with a view of the Toronto skyline across the lake. We enjoyed the Beal vineyard Chardonnay & snacked on a few cherries, saskatoon berries and boysenberries from the trees. . @SouthbrookVineyards: the...

This week on Global TV's The Morning Show, Jess walked Carolyn and Jeff through a few exercises for couples to try during their quarantine. These exercises (both physical and verbal) are to help break the monotony, maintain a strong connection, and inject more excitement into the relationship. Check out her notes and video segment below.

1. The Heartbeat: Rest your head on your partner's chest to listen to their heartbeat. It’s so grounding to think that if that little muscle stops, that’s all she wrote. It’s a good way to start your day and it takes less than a minute.

2. The Gratitude Gap: Thank your partner for something you’ve come to expect and perhaps take for granted.

3. Love Note Hunt: Hide sweet or sexy notes throughout the house and let your partner stumble upon them naturally.

4. What I Miss (for co-workers who are separated): Make a list of 3 things you miss about your co-worker. This isn’t a time to flirt or be...

Given our current situation, what are your thoughts and feelings about Zoom calls? Could some calls just have been an email? Jess connects virtually with Carolyn and Jeff this morning from Global TV's The Morning Show to further discuss. Check out her notes and video segment below.

The Good:

• It takes less time to coordinate, so we’re actually seeing one another more often.
• It feels more intimate than a phone call for many of us because of the potential for eye contact, facial expressions, body language, etc.
• Research reflects that connection & cooperation is higher on video calls than via phone and chat; trust can be just as high in video chats as face to face although it takes longer to achieve this, so this may explain why it works for existing friendships like Carolyn’s, but may not be as effective for new dates, acquaintances and clients.

The Struggle:

• It’s emotionally exhausting to be on video calls all day.
• You have...

Another week in self-isolation means it's time to get creative with your dating game. This week, Jess spoke to Carolyn and Jeff from Global TV's The Morning Show to discuss how we can date responsibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out Jess' notes and video segment below!

Why has this time of social distancing proven to be such a popular time for dating apps?

Not only are we craving connection, but we also have more time on our hands, as we’re not commuting, socialising after work or hanging out with extended family. And we’re spending that extra time online.

Some dating apps are reporting increases in messaging between users and more time spent online.

Could the fact that people can’t meet in person actually be a benefit?

Being pushed out of our comfort zones and forced to communicate digitally can encourage us to learn new ways of communicating. Text alone eliminates the power of tone, body language and facial...

We took Global TV's The Morning Show from the Corus studio to our home studios today! This week, we chat about how to get along with the people close to you during self-isolation. Check out my notes and video segment below!

I’m with my kids 24/7 with no end in sight – how do I keep from going bananas?

First, talk to your kids about how you’re feeling. And ask them how they’re feeling. Take it slowly and really listen to what they have to say. This is a stressful time for everyone. It’s a time of transition, uncertainty, fear, financial stress and constant change. Change has been documented as a primary source of prolonged stress, so we’re all experiencing heightened stress levels at this time.

So prioritize acknowledging, validating and working through feelings over home schooling or productivity. There is, of course, value in learning and producing, but the pressure cooker is almost at its limit with the news and precariousness of the...

What's the best advice you can give your parents (or other fellow baby boomers) if they're ready to get back into the dating pool again? Jess sits down with hosts Carolyn and Jeff on Global TV's The Morning Show to further discuss. Check out her notes and video segment below!

1. They’re launching a Bachelor-type show for seniors — what does this say about dating in 2020 and any predictions for how this might be different than the traditional show?

It’s a reminder that our desire for love, companionship and sex exists across the lifespan. I just hope they don’t make age a central feature of the show or use it at the butt of jokes as is often the case in Hollywood. And I hope they use this rare showcase of love, dating and sex among seniors to promote safer sex, because older adults can be at greater risk.

2. How is dating for boomers different than dating for millennials?

The desired outcomes may be different. There may be...

This morning on Global TV's The Morning Show, Jess sat down with Carolyn and Jeff to address viewer questions about the lack of intimacy in their relationships. Check out the video segment and her advice below to learn more!

My wife does so much. Takes care of the kids (we have a newborn), takes care of the house, etc.. But she’s never in the mood for sex. It has been months. I want to talk to her, but don’t want to make her feel badly, because she’s doing such a great job.

The fact that you acknowledge all that she does is so important and sets the tone for a healthy relationship and a potentially fruitful conversation about sex. Having said that, before we jump into the conversation, I want to offer a reminder to convey this appreciation directly to your wife. Oftentimes, couples who get along well deal with a gratitude gap: you feel grateful and you function so well as a team that you forget to thank your partner for all that they do to...

Meghan and Harry are stepping away from the Royal Family and moving to Canada (at least part-time). In light of the family’s disapproval, how can they ensure that they safeguard their relationship and respond to family disappointment? Jess sat down with Carolyn and Jeff to discuss parental disapproval earlier today on The Morning Show.

Check out the video and notes below.

How to handle disappointing your parents (or in this case, your grandparents)?

JODO — I learned about JODO from Adam Maurer from @MoonTower_Counseling. JODO stands for the joy of disappointing others. It isn’t about being a rebel without a cause; it’s essential to:

• Setting boundaries and realistic expectations.
• Managing personality differences in relationships
• Expressing your needs and emotions in healthy ways.

In relationships research, there are a few theories that relate to outside sources of (dis)approval affecting the outcome of your...

It’s that time of year again and though it’s supposed to be full of good cheer, the stress of shopping, cooking, planning, traveling and hosting can detract from the holly season — especially when houseguests are involved. This morning on Global TV’s The Morning Show, Jess sat down with Jeff and Carolyn to share insights on dealing with difficult house guests. 

Sherrie asks…

My boyfriend and I live together, but we’re going to visit his parents over the holidays and they insist that we sleep in separate rooms. How do we convince them that we’re adults and can share a bedroom?

Their house means their rules. You are adults and if you really want to sleep in the same room, you can book a hotel room.

I’m not suggesting that their motivation for separating you is more justified than your desire to sleep together, but if they’re graciously opening up their home, you have to adjust your behaviour to...

This morning, Jess sat down with Jeff and Carolyn on Global TV's The Morning Show to address viewer questions about relationships and ghosting. Check out what Jess has to say, see her expanded notes and video clip below.

I’m married and want to leave, because I’ve met someone else - my forever person - and we’ve already started making plans. When should I tell my husband? I think I should wait until everything is in place to tell my husband I’m leaving in order to avoid a blowup and months of fighting, but my friends say I should let him know earlier. Am I right or are they?

Do not ghost your husband. Unless you feel unsafe — for example, if you’re dealing with an abusive partner, you want to put your safety first — be transparent. Tell him now. If you’re making plans to leave — changing mail, financial account info or looking for a new place to live — your partner deserves to know.

You say you’re looking to avoid...