There is so much information out there on how to parent—or how not to! The question we often ask ourselves is, “Are we doing enough?” I would dare say we’re doing too much. In my work with older teens (ages 16-19) and young adults (ages 20-26), I would say we could all use some assistance when it comes to…
The sultry glances were brief, but often. With fluttering eyelashes and a slightly demure smile, there was no mistaking her intentions—to capture the attention of that handsome guy sitting nearby. A normal display of romancing? Absolutely! A common age for such conquest? Sometimes. The flirtatious female in the scenario above was only in fourth grade. Yes, true story. I…
Seems there’s a lot of rage happening in our world right now. Many of us are experiencing fury over various injustices, ongoing health concerns, and a general feeling that society is falling apart. It’s enough to make one scream! And many of us are doing just that—at each other. The ash left behind Stress from ongoing cultural circumstances definitely bleeds over into…
If you’ve been in the workforce much time at all, I’m sure you’ve noticed varied types of behavior from other employees. Some of this is simply due to individual personality traits. But other times, behavior may signal something deeper, such as a mental health issue. The conduct of co-workers is learned over time—after watching them…
Do you ever wonder why some couples have better communication skills and intimacy from day one of their marriage, while others seem to crater within the first year? Or why some of your married friends make it through difficult times better than other couples you know? Most Americans want to be married at some point…
I had a moment recently with one of my teenagers, but it wasn’t exactly one of those heart-warming talks that you see between parent and child on the Hallmark™ channel. We had this particular “convo” (aka “conversation” for those of us over 30) because there were some patterns I was seeing her demonstrate that I wanted…
Have you lost that loving feeling when it comes to the relationship with your spouse? As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I meet a fair amount of people who feel they no longer have the ability to “date their spouse.” As they allow me to step into their relational constructs, I usually find a common thread.…
Returning to work after an extended holiday break can be rough, even for the most loyal employee. But the day-to-day “clocking in” can be daunting as well for those who simply don’t enjoy their line of work or place of employment. What can be done to remedy this sad situation? 3 Big Jumps Toward More…
Christmastime with extended family can be challenging! And if you have a relative (or two, or three) that you consider more naughty than nice, it’s often hard to have a “holly jolly Christmas.” However, Christ does call us to do what sometimes seems impossible to do. In Luke 6:27 Jesus says: “Love your enemies, do good to those who…
During the holidays, we tend to focus a lot on thankfulness as well as providing for others. It’s become part of our seasonal tradition as we’ve grown up with families of our own. But how do we teach this valuable lesson of gratefulness and giving to our youngest kids? Through their senses Especially with preschoolers and younger…