Smartphones & Parenting: Not So Smart

The use of smartphones has become an essential part of everyday life. Checking work emails, surfing the web, using the newest apps to make your life simpler, or doing the oh so popular texting others to stay connected— these are just a few amazing functions of the smartphone. Parents tend to rely on their smartphones to communicate with their children, synchronize schedules, and even keep tabs on daily assignments and grades.

The Growing Parent: Trauma in the Media (Part 4)

Ultimately, the responsibility for appropriate communication lies on the shoulders of the adult. Being conscious not to color our language with a multitude of descriptions and information can go a long way when talking to our children

Understanding Your Teen: Privilege Problems

Q: Can teens of caring parents with most needs & wants met and plenty of opportunities at their disposal experience unhappiness, disconnection, and mental illness?

A: In short, absolutely YES. And actually, according to recent studies, they appear to have a higher risk of experiencing these symptoms.

Understanding Your Teen: Depression

Is my teen just a “normal, moody” kid experiencing the roller coaster of their changing bodies and a desire to fit in and belong? Or is it depression?

This is just one of the many ways find it difficult to understand their teens these days. It’s important to pay careful attention to your teen’s behavior. Even if they won’t talk to you, their actions might just tell you what’s going on.

Understanding Your Teen

We’ve all been one. Some of us entered into young adulthood with more or less scars then others. But usually words that come to us when we think about the teenage years include awkward, identity, changes, and confusion. Thinking about middle school and high school can trigger memories of the crowded hallways, lunchroom decisions, peer-pressure, first relationships, and experimentation. Most of us are thankful we survived. So it’s not surprising that when parents experience their children entering this phase of life, they feel a little helpless. We find ourselves feeling confused all over again.

Overcome Blended Family Holiday Challenges

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.