It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Or, for you is it a runaway celebration train of obligations and a mile-long to-do list? You can change that by protecting your personal boundaries.… Read More
The holidays are a time for togetherness. Yet, for many families, it’s also a stressful season ruled by obligations and pricey expectations: gift-giving, attending party after party, adhering to tiresome traditions. Especially for families with young children, the unrelenting demands of the holidays can take over. Orchestrating wholesome family-friendly, meaningful holiday activities quickly take a… Read More
My favorite day of the year is the day we switch from Daylight Savings Time to Standard Time. The clock goes back, giving me a precious extra hour. I always seem to need more time — over the years, my growing people-pleasing tendencies haven’t helped. I don’t recall being in such demand in my 20s.… Read More
Making Their Lists, But Not Checking Them Twice: Why parents can’t – but should – say no. Whether you have toddlers or teens, a parent’s natural tendency is to strive for content and happy children. But, saying yes to what can feel like an endless stream of wants morphs into a damaging cycle that I call “yes-parenting.” Learn… Read More
Yes, I said yes to my only child and stepped in or gave in. Saying yes is a trap only child parents fall into. Saying no, however, teaches important life lessons. Read more… Read More
Any holiday offers fertile ground for fostering positive family togetherness and warm memory making. Halloween, with its delightfully spooky fun, can be an especially exciting time for young children. Whatever and however you celebrate your family-friendly Halloween, it is important to include rituals and traditions. To you, Halloween may pale in comparison to higher profile,… Read More
When someone asks you for a favor, a “yes, sure” is out of your mouth before the reality of the commitment registers. You may have a people-pleasing problem. It’s not uncommon for many of us to wonder how we got roped into being the family’s go-to task person, an extra office assignment, or making arrangements… Read More
How do you know your own parenting stress level? Jessica Valenti, author of Why Have Kids?, believes that if you’ve ever felt like you face an onslaught of constant worries, demands, and sudden curveballs, you’re not alone. Valenti writes, “Nearly every study done in the last ten years on parental happiness shows a marked decline in… Read More