Losing someone important to us is an universal experience that is always difficult to deal with. We may feel anger, grief, loneliness, or confusion, and we all handle these difficult emotions in our own personal way. For a child, however, these feelings can be new, scary, and often overwhelming. As much as you want to shield your children from any pain, allowing them to feel these big emotions and express them in healthy ways can help them gain maturity and learn about themselves and their world.
Spring Clean Your Relationship!
Spring is finally here! At least according to the calendar. And that means it’s time for spring cleaning- that once-a-year activity where we give the house a thorough scrubbing. Perhaps it’s time to spring clean your relationship, too.
Changing an Unhealthy Coping Mechanism
We all have ways of coping or have fallen into bad habits, even addictions. You may have decided you want to change. But most likely you have found that actually changing just is not as easy as making the decision to do so. Change is hard for most of us.
Is Your Teen at Risk for Attempting Suicide
It’s the thought no parent wants to even consider, “Is my child at risk for attempting suicide?” The suicide rate for teenagers has quadrupled since the 60’s. Each day in our country, over 5000 attempts are made by young people in grades 7 – 12. Of those who attempted, research shows 4 out of 5 gave clear warning signs they were in distress. So, while it is an unbearable thought, the more you know, the better you will be able to intervene if your child is at risk.
How Have Your Early Family Interactions Shaped Your Current Listening?
We often intrinsically know whether we feel listened to and understood, ignored, dismissed, or misunderstood by another person. But how often do we intentionally think about our capacity to listen in relationships – whether that’s work, family, romantic, social, or spiritual – and how often do we reflect on the connection between our early family experiences and how they taught us to listen (or not)? Here are a few questions to help you explore how you have learned to listen (and what you expect from other listeners).
Teaching Children to Play with Context and Purpose
Bob Clagett focuses on creating context and purpose for your children as they play in his TEDx Talk in the Creative Coast 2013. Bob Clagett is a maker. He likes to make stuff—so much so, that his website is www.iliketomakestuff.com. Clagett use the label “stuff” because his interests cover a wide range: music, MDF, personal records in marathons, restoring vintage Vespas, user interface, computers, and children. He is a maker from the moment he wakes up to the moment he closes his eyes.
How to talk to your teen about suicide
One national study found that almost 20% of high school students admitted to thinking about suicide. If your teen isn’t thinking about it, chances are they have a friend or classmate that is. You may be afraid if you talk about suicide, you’ll make the thoughts more real and the suicide more likely to happen. The truth is talking about suicide doesn’t increase the risk, but offers your teen a safe place to explore feelings, ask questions, and get help.
Grief – Letting Go of Understanding
Have you ever experienced a traumatic or extremely disappointing event in your life? Maybe you lost a loved one or special friend unexpectantly; or a significant relationship ended and you were devastated. Often times, we seek to understand the purpose of these painful events. We may have many unanswered questions about the hurtful event.
Eat Your Olives!
Want to remember more? Then don’t forget your olives! A recent study by researchers at the University of Miami and Columbia University showed that a Mediterranean-style diet, which emphasizes healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables, might protect against blood-vessel damage in the brain, reducing the risk of stroke and memory loss. The scientists … Read More
Elements of Love: Commitment (Part 3 of 3)
Commitment. Passion. Intimacy. In today’s society, commitment is often the weakest side of Sternberg’s triangle. The passion wanes for one or both partners, and society has the EASY button of divorce. It is sad how many couples view this as a first option when things become difficult in the relationship. Make no mistake, marriage is hard. It also has the potential to be the most transformative and intimate relationship you will ever experience.