The holiday season can be a particularly challenging time for blended families. Every blended family has built-in complexities that are highlighted during the holidays. Tension may arise over many issues: making decisions about how much time each parent gets with the child, deciding who buys which gifts, and even determining which holiday rituals are acceptable for the child to participate in.
Pro Sports Wives: Creating Home for the Holidays
As a former pro sports wife myself, I recall the times when I was away from home for the holidays traveling with my husband abroad. I remember feeling isolated, lonely and very much missing my family members and our family holiday traditions. I remember the importance of embracing relationships with other pro sports wives for a sense of connection and community. Whether you’re temporarily located overseas or even in a new U.S. city, I believe the things I learned from my own experiences can help you.
Exploring Gratitude: Gratitude and Sparkle
I was doing some nerdy reading recently and stumbled on a scholarly publication called “The Journal of Happiness Studies.” Yes, please! Basically these scholars review and approve articles all related to Happiness. Turns out study after study has been done to try to break the code on how to make us happier.
Be Angry Less Often: Measuring Your Anger
If you struggle with anger, taking the time to measure your angry outbursts can be a helpful tool. Anger has such a negative reputation because of the way people react when this emotion surfaces. I often tell clients that anger is a signal that flashes across our lives to indicate that something is happening which may be very important in that one moment in time.
The Growing Parent: Sharing Attention Between Your Kids & Your Work
“Much of my job requires me to work out of my home, but unfortunately I can’t get anything done because my kids are always trying to get my attention. How can I get my work done without offending my children?”
The Growing Parent: Daily Report
“I work long hours everyday, and even though my children are homeschooled, I feel like I have no clue how they are doing. I just always assumed that by making the choice for our family to homeschool I would be much more involved in their lives…”
A Blended Family Divided
I don’t know about you, but when I think of the word “blended” I think of things coming together in harmony. The term “blended family” can be misleading to new remarried families. The day a father and step-mother or mother and step-father says “I do” does not automatically “blend” their family.
The Growing Parent: Anger & Tone of Voice
Thanks so much for all of your positive responses to my previous post on dealing with the frustrations our children evoke! To answer some of your questions I’ll expand on each of the 6 strategies I previously suggested.
Communication Tips for Parents
Be available for your children • Notice times when your kids are most likely to talk–for example, at bedtime, before dinner, in the car–and be available. • Start the conversation; it lets your kids know you care about what’s happening in their lives. • Find time each week for a … Read More
Are Children Given Too Much?
We’re being shown in the news regularly about how difficult it is for youth, even those with higher education, to find jobs and achieve the American Dream. One consultant recently estimated that 85 percent of new college graduates are returning home to live with their parents. This could be the … Read More