Browse Family

We read so much about family estrangement, about mothers and fathers and their grown children who simply enter a cold war of ceased communication. Eminen and his mother, Jennifer Anniston, Kim Bassinger, Jenna Malone, and their mothers, Gerard Depardieu and his son, the Reagans, whose estrangement from their children even merited prominence in the TV special about the former First Family. The list goes on and on. While glamorous stars get into the spotlight when there's a rif

There are certain characteristics of those who have high self esteem and confidence in their ability to affect the jou ey of their life. These factors are universal and can be learned if they are not present in you life right now. 1. They are ambitious. They want more from life than ...

It's a fact. There are a lot of people who feel unhappy in their marriage. But the real question many of them are asking themselves is, how do I know when my marriage is really over? Is it when your spouse says, "I don't love you anymore?" Is it after an affair takes place? How do you REALLY ...It's a fact. There are a lot of people who feel unhappy in their marriage. But the real question many of them are asking themselves is, how do I know when my marriage is really over? I

After a baby is born, her brain and her nervous system get to work learning about how her body works and the world that she live in. Despite the fact that a newbo sleeps quite a lot of her day, a baby's brain and nervous system are incredibly busy. If fact, from birth to 2½ years old, a ...

nn Moving out for the first time is one of the biggest steps you’ll take in life. It not only represents your freedom, independence and a sense of growing up, it also tests your ability to make it on your own. nSince most of us will be renting our first place, we will begin there. There are usually two ways to go. You can rent month-to-month, which means you are able to move out whenever you want, but it also means the landlord can kick you out or raise your rent almost at

Character is the set of qualities that make somebody distinctive. It is the outward manifestation of what you believe inside your mind and spirit. It is your nature, personality and moral fiber. Your character is the attitude and mindset which indicates to others who you are and what you stand for. Character, values and standards are not inbo or inherited, they must be learned, accepted and believed by the person. Belief System Reflects Actions if your parents called you lazy, you can either incorporate that label as a part of your character and indeed become lazy.

Families and individuals often struggle to find words which describe what they are feeling. Many find themselves referring back to mad, sad and happy, especially if the parents were never allowed to express feelings in their childhood homes. One of the cornerstones of successful families is ...

If you're like myself and many of my clients, you find forgiveness a difficult prospect. Big questions such as "When is it too late to ask for an apology?", "Is forgiveness necessary for personal and spiritual growth?", and "Should someone apologize for being truthful?" complicate the process.

I grew up in the Amish, Mennonite country of south central Pennsylvania. Rolling hills with fertile ground made for excellent farming. nn Sundays after church my dad would get us all in the car for a Sunday drive that would invariably take us into the heart of Lancaster county...Amish country. nn Horse and buggies could be seen to and from Sunday go to church meeting houses, slowing up traffic along the way although we never seemed to mind. This is the day the Amish and Menno

It's the most wonderful time of the year... Or so they say. While the end of year holidays are supposed to be a time of peace, love, and joy, it often turns out to be a time of stress, depression and worry -- especially as people struggle to create some "holiday magic" for their friends and ...It's the most wonderful time of the year... Or so they say.

Do you know how to compliment your child? Strangely enough, many parents don’t. If you only heard criticism growing up, you may need to learn the words and actions in order to build the self esteem and character of your child. Combine the compliment with a smile or hug Verbal language is ...

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.n -Mother Theresa Words can be deadly weapons or protective layers of love. They can bruise and batter a person, no matter how old, in the heart and spirit just like physical blows can cause damage to ...

Character is the set of qualities that make somebody distinctive. It is the outward manifestation of what you believe inside your mind and spirit. It is your nature, personality and moral fiber. Your character is the attitude and set of mind which indicates to others who you are and what you ...

Are you as close with your family as you would like to be? If your answer to this question is no, maybe it’s time to take a step back and evaluate how you interact with your loved ones. Are you inadvertently doing something to alienate them? Are you just not spending as much time with them as you'd like? You can strengthen your family bonds by keeping in mind the following:nnLabels HurtnnAll of us can look at our own families and a name quickly pops into our mind of that on

When Laurel’s boss overlooked her for a promotion, she was stunned. She had received high praise for her market analyses and team cooperation and was sure she’d be selected for a major project. Tip #1: Get Feedback Rather than wallow in disappointment, Laurel sought from her boss ...

Home, home on the range, Where never is heard A discouraging word And the skies are not cloudy all day! Oh, that would be wonderful but most parents and bosses tend to feel that criticism and pointing out what is wrong will make others want to do what is right. However, people cannot improve ...

Introductionr Few of us are immune to holiday stress. It doesn’t help that Thanksgiving and Christmas are so close together. For many people, it’s like getting a second-wham of anxiety and disappointment before you recover from the first one at Thanksgiving.

Ever now and then, people fall on hard times. And that’s okay. Unless we were born with a silver spoon in our mouth, we’ve all gone through it at some point in time. nnBut what happens when you have a relative move in, who doesn’t want to move out? How do you prepare for this and could it have been avoided? nnIf you’re experiencing this, I know it’s not an easy situation to go through and rarely is it ever fun. nnIf you are going to allow a relative to move in with

In a column about relationships, it's easy to overlook that the number one person you must always relate to is yourself. Yet, sometimes, when circumstances make us veer off our usual course, we get irritable, pessimistic and just plain old down in the dumps. Here are some tips to help you strengthen your positive coping skills, gain a perspective, a sense of control and feel better.

America slowly evolved from “In God we trust” to the “me generation” demanding rights without a sense of responsibility to neighbors or community. The loss of community involvement has contributed to the growth of criminal gangs. When families break down, children can become angry. They can find comfort and support through gangs, sex and drugs. The FBI reports the peak age for burglary is 16 and violence, age 18. Without correction, children fill the void with a false sense of power. Without responsible adults, a teen can steal or assault another child without guilt.

Are You Afraid and Frustrated? If you are having difficulty turning problems into opportunities, you may be discouraged. You may have a need to build your self esteem in order to overcome fear, doubts and frustrations that are impacting the life you deserve to live.

Maybe you are looking at the title to this article and thinking "What the heck? How can family be toxic?". Maybe you are one of those people who know exactly what the title is all about. Whatever your reason for reading this article, I hope it speaks to you and you learn something from reading it.

“My wife and My Mother Can’t Stand Each Other” by Linda Lipshutz, M.S., LCSW Rob W. writes: ”My wife and I have been arguing incessantly and I am beside myself. Stacy and I have been married for five years and the problem seems to be getting worse, not better. I’ve always been very close to my family, so I don’t understand why my parents are so stubborn and negative and why they just won’t accept Stacy. Things fell apart soon after we announced our engagement. Our two famil

Ernest Hemingway once said: "The world breaks everyone. and afterward,many are strong in the broken places." When we are going through adversity, it is not always possible to believe that everyone suffers loss and heartache. It feels and acts very personal when bad luck and rotten life experiences happen to good people. Our first response is " Why Me? " We may question whether we did something to deserve this punishment or trouble. We may feel resentment for others who are not suffering and question why trouble did not choose them.

Communication is one of the most important aspects of our lives that, ironically, many of us pay the least attention to. Regretfully, the main reason is that many of us have never been taught how to communicate in a way that benefits us and the person we are communicating with.nnFrom the moment we wake up in the morning until we go to bed, we are communicating, first with family, then with coworkers, neighbors, friends, and so on. nnWe communicate either verbally, through our

1. Now is the time to be honest with yourself and others. If you're trying to revitalize yourself and jump-start your life, you have to be 100%, no-bull, straight-up honest about what is and what is not working in your life. Self-deception is like driving around in circles... you’ll be ...1. Now is the time to be honest with yourself and others. If you're trying to revitalize yourself and jump-start your life, you have to be 100%, no-bull, straight-up honest about what is and what is not working in your life.

Feng Shui (pronounced fung shway) is the ancient Chinese approach of interior design that promotes balance and well-being in our environment. Literally translated, it means “wind” and “water.” By employing the pointers outlined below, your classroom can grow to be more relaxed, thereby fostering learning and minimizing disciplinary problems. I was a nonbeliever at first, also. I thought it was all hocus-pocus. But then I started adding Feng Shui solutions to different areas of my classroom, and I found that I had one of the most productive years I’ve ever experienced with my students.

Q: How do I "fall in love using my head and not my heart?" A: Most of today's grandparents heard the love lesson "use your head not your heart" long before they looked with interest at the opposite sex. But just what do these words mean--and how do you apply it to your love life? Consider the following stories.

The Mother-Daughter Relationship The relationship between a mother and daughter is vital from birth to adulthood. They share a bond, which is unlike any other because of the symbiotic connection and the natural female liaison associated with this union. There is an affinity which they both share in terms of the similarity of their response to hurts, disappointments, failures and various kinds of life-changing circumstances. This is due to the types of environment in which th

Q: My boyfriend won't propose even though we've been dating for years. Should I take the initiative? A: Let me just get it over with-I do not recommend that women propose marriage. I'll explain why a few paragraphs later, but first, here is the experience that sparked my deeper thinking about marriage proposals.

Have a relationship question and want Dr. Wish's advice? Email her a question, here. Your query may become an article! Q: Every year I drop my New Year's resolutions by February. What can I do to keep them? A: Unfortunately, for many of us, by Valentine's Day your New Year's resolutions feel long forgotten. Let's face it-it's too hard to keep them. But don't get down on yourself if your efforts to change and be better have dwindled to practically zero.

Have you ever thought that you found The One—only to realize later after much heartache that the person was The Wrong One?

It's heartbreaking watching a loved one dig ever deeper into addiction or alcoholism, and families often feel impotent to do anything to effect change for the better. Lecturing, scolding and nagging have proven useless, and in some cases can make the problem worse, and too many families cling to a mistaken belief that only the addict can decide to get help when they're ready.nnThankfully, that popular conception is false. Families can exert an powerful influence towards treat

It is not the strangers who manipulate and prey on their sexual victims, it is someone who is usually known and respected by the family. Sexual abuse is often first committed by juvenile family members who are loved and trusted. As hormones begin to surge and if they have not been taught how to handle thoughts and urges, they may experiment on younger siblings or cousins.. Adolescent Sexual Offenders

Some Reasons for Family Conflictsr Every family has disagreements, which keeps the communication channel open. However, the handling of those conflicts will result in either win/win outcomes or destructive situations. Here is a list of some of those situations which create family conflicts. Poor Communication Skills According to James 1:19 “ Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” It seems easier to speak out of turn in

When was the last time you had a family mealtime together? I don't mean sitting in the car munching on burgers from the drive-through. I mean sitting down at the table and sharing a home-cooked meal. If you can't remember when you last enjoyed a family mealtime, make plans to have them more often. Experts have found - and continue to discover - plenty of benefits for both children and adults when they share a family dinnertime together at least three times a week. A wonderful service that I have found and use on a regular basis is Dine Without Whine.

Teasing is universal, its a fact of life. In my classroom when I ask any person if they were teased as a child the answer is always the same. Yes. Then I ask who they were teased by, there are a number of answers I get: siblings, the kid down the street, their teacher, or even their family. People are always able to remember who teased or bullied them. The torment they underwent becomes a part of them.

Divorce and death of a husband is a top life stressor. Learn about this grief from the following quiz. Choose one answer that best describes your belief. 1. Jennifer and her husband divorced after one year. Five months later, Jennifer has gone out on three casual dates. n___A. She was only ...

When was the last time you achieved a positive result from holding a grudge against another person, especially a family member or someone close to you? Have you ever held a grudge against another person so long that you truly felt satisfied and happy that you did so?

Q: It's Valentine's Day, and I'm single and miserable. Is there anyway I can turn it around?

Are you a parent, grandparent, teacher, coach or employer who is dismayed at the sense of entitlement many of our young children have? And that is not all they have. They have clothes enough to outfit a small orphanage, toys enough for a play land and an excuse for every chore they are asked ...

Discover what factors create a personality and give each of us a different perspective on life. “When I approach a child rnHe inspires in me two sentiments:rnTenderness for what he is,rnAnd respect for what he may become.”rn—Louis Pasteur One of the questions I am most often asked is, “How can two children having the same parents have such extremely different personalities and interests?” We ascribe many differences to gender. Other times, it is easy to see how a ch

How do you identify a toxic relationship? Here is a list of ways to tell if something might possibly be wrong in your personal relationship with your significant other. Just answer these questions truthfully. • Does your significant other verbally abuse you? • Does your significant other say he/she loves you but act the other way? • Does your significant other keep you from your friends or family? • Is your significant other jealous of your children? • Has your significant other ever opened your mail? Read your email? Listened in on your phone calls?r

Your intention is to motivate a child or employee to do better. You are clear in your mind what you want to achieve and the behavior that you want changed. You expect to be listened to and obeyed! You are right and they are wrong. Someday, they will be grateful that you cared enough to show them ...

Have you ever thought about suicide? Have you ever felt like the world would be better off without you in it? Have you ever spent hours crying or lying in bed with your head covered up? Have you cut yourself off from friends and family? Do you spend copious amounts of time alone in your home? These are all symptoms of depression. Clinically, the signs of depression are as follow: • Feeling sad or tearful • Significant loss of pleasure in life • Weight loss or gain without trying • Trouble sleeping • Sleeping too much • Agitationr

The murder of 12 and wounding of 58 people at a theater in Aurora, CO is another national tragedy sparking debate on gun control. Based on my experience as a crime and violence prevention consultant, over the past 35 years, I see a need to share what I have learned about violence.

It happened one bitterly cold night in January 2011. It was sudden and violent. It took our family by surprise as most tragedies do. We all vacillated between denial and shock. I cried out in anger and in sadness. I begged God to give me back those few minutes before it happened. I would have done anything to change it. There was no way I could see myself accepting this to be true. I had no idea how to even think about it, much less feel. I was at a total loss. I wanted to ma

Divorce is a difficult enough experience, and when children are involved, most divorcing parents have to set aside their marital feelings and work together to co-raise children responsibly. The goal is not to have children survive divorce but to thrive. However, many ...

Have a relationship question and want Dr. Wish's advice? Email her a question, here. Your query may become an article! Happy marriages and long-term relationships are not happy every day. John Gottman, a pioneer in marital research, discovered that even in mutually satisfying marriages, couples said they went through bad patches--and years! Yet, these same couples said they were glad they "toughed it out" and would choose their partner as their mate all over again.

If your bills and expenses equals more than your income, you are headed for trouble and must take steps immediately to get back on track. There must be enough coming in your household to cover what is going out in expenses. If there is a big difference between the two, then you may be headed for trouble.

Q: How long should I wait before dating again after my divorce? A: Most of us have heard this advice about looking for love after you've just ended a marriage or intimate partnership: "Don't jump from the frying pan into the fire." In other words, to avoid re-bound love, take time off from dating and mating. The big unanswered questions are: How much time do I take off? And what am I supposed to do with my time if I'm not dating?

I began this process as sort of therapeutic soul searching sort of way. I see myself as many of you have been before me and many more after me as embarking on yet a new adventure or stage in life. During this process I read a quote “If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies” - Author Unknown I am about to have an empty nest. I have many people tell me “it will be great”. I can see how having an empty nest has had some negative effect on some people. I am determined

Make a list of your favorite things about Christmas and I would be willing to bet your list doesn't include fruitcake. Christmas fruitcake has never made the list unless you are a Randisi. My mother-in-law Rose Randisi made the best Christmas fruitcake bar none. People who have tasted her fruitcake unanimously agree, hers is nothing like the customary fruitcake misfortune everyone dreads. And that is because Rose’s fruitcake is flat out delicious. We normally fight over the last piece, it is that good.

Loving your step- child can be both simple and hard. It is not enough for parents, step parents and extended family to feel a deep glow of love for the children in your circle of influence. You must convey that feeling into a message that is heard, felt and integrated by the child. Children ...

No matter how seasoned and successful you are, you still may experience disappointments and setbacks. Here are tips to empower you. Read this several times: No one is immune from experiencing career setbacks, disappointments and regrets and making mistakes big and small. Setbacks come in many forms for all of us. See if these situations sound like you. I've added possible solutions for each item.

As I travel the country teaching workshops for parents, teachers and day care providers I often ask them if they recognize the Indigo Children. These children are not content to color in the lines or glue macaroni on paper. They are very bright but also very active and curious. Born To Be Leaders Some of the children who are being born now are just arriving knowing who and what they are. They really just need parents to guide them a little and keep them safe till they are grown up enough to accomplish what they have been sent to do.

All along the Atlantic seacoast still stand the remnants of beautiful architectural structures that once beamed shining lights to guide countless ships to safety in the darkness of the of the treacherous ocean night. They were known as Lighthouses. My illiterate grandmother, Mrs. Bessie, who was a real Steel Magnolia, raised me. She was and still is a Lighthouse that guides my every move. Even though she is now flying with the Angels, there is not a day I do not reflect back

Have a relationship question and want Dr. Wish's advice? Email her a question, here. Your query may become an article! Q: My ailing mom has come to live with me, and it's taking a toll on my marriage. How can I find a balance? A: Medical advancements have allowed us to live longer but not always better. Just ask families who are caregivers to ailing parents or partners. Even if the job is an act of love, the responsibility erodes energy, patience and good will.

Have a relationship question and want Dr. Wish's advice? Email her a question, here. Your query may become an article! Q: I'm about to meet my partner's parents. How can I make a good impression?

Women and Boundaries Women who are we and what do we really want? In earlier generations, women were not the powerful, independent, “I can do anything!” wonder women that they are today. When I wanted to take mechanical drawing in high school in the 50’s, it had to be approved by the school board before I could enroll. Would you believe that they said no because the all male school board determined that the only reason for my wanting to take that class was to be around

Penn State and Syracuse University are facing national scandals! At Penn State in 2002, an assistant coach witnessed a sexual assault of a child, told administrators and no one reported it to police. Seven more assaults have now been reported.

Are you a frustrated parent who sometimes finds it is easier to take the garbage out yourself than to keep nagging your son? Do you wonder what kind of employee he will become since he doesn't always follow through at home? Is it worth the effort on your part to insist that he do his share? ...

Let's face it we all have to pass away one day. We hope and pray it will be later than sooner. Do you know what the impact of your departure would be on your family? Will you have left them financially fit to pay off your debts or will that be another thing they will have to worry about after you are gone? Most of us don't think about things of this nature. We live life day by day never thinking about the outcome this will have on your family . It's not that we are selfish it

Most of us want to feel chosen, connected and cared for. Unfortunately, it's easy to be fooled into thinking you are falling in love, and one of the sure ways to cloud your judgment about your new partner is having sex too soon. Here are the top reasons how a hasty decision to have sex endangers your relationship health.

Talking to teens and family communication is very important while raising your family. What's interesting is that your teen wants to communicate with you as much as you want to communicate with them. Make as much time as possible to do this so you know what is happening in your teens life. You want to be able to trust your teenagers while they're not with you. You also want your teen to talk with you about things they're going through and for them to come to you when they have questions.

For decades, politicians have tried to break the cycle of violence by hiring more police and implementing new laws. Those strategies and other penalties, however, have limitations because they do little to prevent the next generation from following the same destructive path. City officials ...

Your intention is to motivate a child or employee to do better. You are clear in your mind what you want to achieve and the behavior that you want changed. You expect to be listened to and obeyed! You are right and they are wrong. Someday, they will be grateful that you cared enough to show ...

Family as Social InstitutionrnEach Society has some basic needs which has to be satisfied for better day to day life. Social institutions are a medium like as social moulds which are established for carring out basic functions and help to established collective image of behavior. This institutions come in to existence for satisfying needs of an individual. Even though every institution carries out certain specific function, It is not entirely independent. There is interdepend

One day, “out of the blue,” when I was trying to find ways to help my clients, the idea of writing a list of Ten LoveCommandments came to mind. My clients and research participants ask me many questions, and one of the most common one is: “How do I keep that spark alive with my partner?”

Kid coloring page crayons have a history. Here are four free color crayon history facts most kids don't know. 1) Kids crayons 2) History and Inventors of crayons 3) How crayons are made 4) Types and Uses of Crayons Add these to your coloring know how braggin' rights, kid. 1. Kids Crayons Five billion crayons used?! In one year?! Kid, you know you love coloring. Crayons are divided into children’s crayons and artists’ crayons 100 billion crayons have been made sinc

You’ve read the dating articles. You feel armed with enough of the “right” questions to ask so you’ll never get fooled again. You know to ask about their values, recent breakup, favorite music and movies, where they live, what they do for a living and whether they like animals and their family. Phew! You tell yourself that you are on solid footing.

When it comes to switching from traditional photography to the world of digital image capturing, the first thing you’ll notice is the sheer number of photographs you’re now able to take, free from the constraints of rolls of film and the prohibitive cost of having photographs developed. Having amassed a large collection, however, it’s vital to find a safe, accessible and effective means of storing them and photo books tick all of these boxes.

A Deeper Look at the Pleasing Personality in a Work Setting… As I sat down, I asked Judy how her week had gone. Her reply, “Definitely not good.” So, I asked if something had happened. Yes, something had. Judy is an engineering consultant. She has a degree and 20 years of experience in her field. She’s been freelancing now for about 7 or 8 years with different companies, all in the pharmaceutical industry.

The Story Line.

Are you or your loved ones getting older and becoming isolated? Perhaps the idea of an animal as a companion may be just the thing. An animal offers so much more than companionship, but having a friend nearby can prevent loneliness and other health conce s. One might be forgiven to think that the advent of the communication technologies that exist would get rid of the loneliness from this world. Especially since getting in touch with a loved one is as easy and as fast as a couple of mouse clicks or phone taps. Unfortunately, in many ways, this is not true.

Valentines Day, February 14th, is a fun day for both young and old! It is a day to think of those we love and celebrate friendship and kindness. It was one of my favorite winter holidays when the kids were younger as I loved all the hoopla of the parties in school, Scouts and Sunday School. It was a break from the winter doldrums! I loved going to the store to let them each pick out their own Valentines. Back then "computer printables" were not in the vocabulary, if you can believe it! We bought the old fashioned boxed cards that you tore apart on the perforated lines.

If you are like most parents, grandparents, teachers today, you probably think that children are watching way too much television today. Not only are they sitting on their rear ends inside, when you can get them outside, they are playing video games on their cell-phones or other electronics. ...

Dear LeslieBeth, I’m a successful, single business woman in my late thirties. My trusted friends told me I seem unhappy. I think my friends are right. I’m not unhappy about anything specific, and I don’t feel any more stress than usual. I searched the Internet for tips, but some of the tips are for more specific problems such as marital or health problems. Could you give me a general checklist of things to do so I can feel better about my life? Thank you, Confused Dear Confused,r

If you’ve messed up the first date, you are not alone. Read these three true stories from my clients. 1. “Alyssa” agreed to meet Allen in person after ten days of emails, text messages and phone calls. She was really looking forward to meeting someone who seemed good for her. The problem was that shortly before she met Allen for coffee Alyssa had a huge fight with her mother. Her mother frequently mentioned that Alyssa’s younger sister just married a plastic surgeon. Alyssa’s mother said, “You’ve got to give up these teachers you date all the time.”

Many New Year's resolutions are broken by the end of January. If that sentence describes you, don't fret. New Year's resolutions are hard to keep because we humans—and probably most primates—have brains that are designed for pleasurable sensations and encounters such as eating delicious food, having sex, socializing or mastering a difficult task.