After Failure

Consider how you treat yourself after you experience failure. Do you engage in self-criticism, shaming thoughts, or take inventory of your shortcomings or bad luck? Now ask yourself how you would treat a good friend who experienced a similar failure. I’ve noticed, we will say things to ourselves that we would never say to our worst enemy. The reason is most people are compassionate by nature. Most wouldn’t dream of intentionally hurting a fellow human being, yet they will do so to themselves.

Practicing Gratitude in Your Family

As the holidays season continues, one of the greatest gifts you can give your family is to strategically develop their sense of gratitude. Rather than having the focus be on presents or parties, you have an opportunity to help them turn their attention to others and to cultivate a sense of gratitude.

Cultivating Gratitude in Your Kids

Many parents today face a struggle in how to help their children develop a true sense of gratitude. Not just around the holidays, but throughout the rest of the year as well. One of the biggest ways to help your kids be grateful is to model gratitude yourself in your everyday life.

Common Challenges of Stepfamilies

In her book, “Surviving and Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships: What Works and What Doesn’t,” Patricia Papernow, EdD, discusses the five common challenges that a stepfamily can face and offers some straightforward guidance to help address them.

Talking With Kids About Death

It can be challenging to know what to say or how much to share with a child about death. Allow the child space to ask questions!

Emotional Regulation for Kids

Next time you or your child is feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or dysregulated, try the STOP technique and notice how it makes you feel.

Self-Care for New Parents

Though it is important to tend to your baby’s needs and serve as a consistent caregiver for them, self-care is essential for new parents.