When your child was younger, he or she routinely looked to you for answers or assistance, from learning to tie his shoes to help with homework. That made you feel needed and loved — popular with your own child. Then everything changed: You parent a teen now who is not keen on all your rules.… Read More
Most of us equate happy relationships with harmony: getting along, agreeing, and not disappointing one another. In the extreme, however, always striving to keep things rosy with a spouse or partner can be draining … and has the potential to strain the bond. There’s much more to relationship contentment than avoiding fights. In order to… Read More
It’s no secret that the advent of smartphones and other technology puts strains on family life. Technology also causes a brain drain. According to recent data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, children now spend more than seven and a half hours a day in front of a screen. (“Screen” includes cellphones,… Read More
Often, it’s easy to get swept up into regularly responding to requests with a yes rather than a default no. You may not even recognize your willingness or selflessness as a hindrance. Some people are more difficult to refuse than others. Who gets you to say “yes” most often? Who makes your life the most… Read More
Most of us don’t have enough — or any — work-life balance. It always seems just out of reach. Especially for those who consider themselves dedicated, loyal employees, we don’t know how to avoid being overworked. Stress becomes a part of life. If you feel overworked, it’s likely that you are pushing your limits, putting… Read More
If you’re like many parents, the prospect of saying no to your children sometimes feels uncomfortable or difficult. The benefits of saying no are unknown. You may believe that it’s simply easier to cave in. After all, how bad is your daughter’s request for another scoop of ice cream? Or, how harmful is it to… Read More
It is not unusual for adult children—be they 25, 35, 55, or older—to suddenly act like their 10-year-old selves with their parents. It can feel as if you have no control over the situation, but you do have choices in an effort to stop bending to parents’ wishes and demands.… Read More
In this guest post, Dr. Michele Borba, an educational psychologist and parenting and bullying expert, offers specific, evidence-based tips on bullying prevention. Her latest book, End Peer Cruelty, Build Empathy, helps teachers and parents instruct children on how to step in safely to halt bullying. Dr. Borba emphasizes how creating a caring culture based on… Read More