Family
Is Alcohol a Problem? 8 Signs of Addiction to Watch Out For
Alcohol is part of everyday life for many people. It is readily available in many places and on many occasions. Its consumption, though, can be a deceptive snare. Even people with seemingly healthy and happy lives can fall into this trap. At times, they may find it hard to draw the line between how much…
Read MoreShame And Guilt -Whats the Difference & Why is Shame More Damaging?
Imagine: You’ve done someone wrong and it makes you feel horrible. Your feelings move you to apologize and make amends, doing all that is in your power to set matters right. It isn’t easy to do and certainly a hard lesson to learn, but you feel a lot better afterward. You’ve done someone wrong and…
Read MoreCo-Parenting: Why Focusing On Your Children’s Needs Leads to Success
So, you couldn’t resolve your marital issues and got divorced. But now you’ve agreed to co-parent your children. Make no mistake, co-parenting will be harder than the divorce. “This isn’t helpful,” you may say. – Oh, but it is. In order to co-parent successfully, you first have to give yourself a reality check. You have…
Read More9 Signs of Permissive Parenting & How to Turn It Around
“My child just won’t take no for an answer!” It’s interesting that this comment actually tells more about the parent than about the child. Usually, children who won’t take no for an answer have no reason to believe it because their parents are too permissive – unable to really say “no” and mean it. How…
Read MoreWhy Regulating Your Emotions Helps Your Child: 5 Tips to Help You Do It
“Have you finished your chores yet?” the mother asks as she catches a glimpse of her daughter rushing through the living room. “Not yet,” comes the dismissive response. “I asked you to get them done before dinner.” The mother moves to intercept her daughter, her voice slightly irritated. “How many times do I need to remind…
Read MoreCBT and Depression: What Makes CBT So Effective?
“I want that report on my desk, today!” Your boss demands, standing in the doorway of his office. “I don’t have time for you’re excuses; just get it done!” He disappears back into the adjacent room. You pause a moment, looking over the paperwork on your desk, then the computer screen. A deep sigh. Will you…
Read MoreTake These Steps to Cope with Depression and the Holidays
It seems like there’s nothing but happy endings during the holidays – at least on TV or in the movies. In your life, though, that rosy picture may be far from reality. Just the thought of a bunch of annoying relatives flooding your house might send you into a depressive down-spiral. There’s the uncle who always…
Read MoreThe Benefits of Using Natural Consequences to Discipline Your Teen
Natural consequences are an effective disciplining tool with long-term benefits. They work specifically well for teenagers because they are at the age where their ability to reason is much more developed than that of a young child. Teens can see the direct outcome – positive or negative – of their choices or behavior and then…
Read MoreTeen Independence Vs. Family Connection: How to Have the Best of Both
Between the years of 1775 and 1783, North American colonies of Great Britain fought a war against their original homeland to gain independence from the King and Parliament. Some parents feel that a similar event is being acted out when their children strive for teen independence. It almost feels like the two goals are mutually…
Read MoreDiscipline for Teens: 5 Things That Work & 5 Things That Don’t
It’s amazing how words change over time. Take “discipline.” The word has roots in Latin meaning teaching and learning. For example, we speak of “the discipline of Medicine.” But crack open your copy of Merriam-Webster’s dictionary and you’ll see “instruction” is the second definition of discipline, and an obsolete one at that. Primarily, the word…
Read MoreHow to Help Your Children Cope with the Effects of Divorce
As an adult, dealing with the emotional effects of divorce is difficult, but manageable. Your sense of the world is relatively stable; you know that big changes aren’t the end of the world. You can visualize a path forward and the resources you’ll need to navigate it. For your children, the news of your divorce…
Read MoreCan You Have an Amicable Divorce? Taking These Steps Together Can Help
Pain is a natural, built-in element of divorce. The relationship that once filled you with joy, love and hope now elicits feelings of resentment, sadness, and loss. Your sense of identity and security as one half of a couple gives way to questions like, “How can I be a mom, work, and be happy all…
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