Where family is concerned, having close relationships and communication habits are extremely valuable. They’re your support system. They love you and are there for you during this journey of life.
Unfortunately, sometimes, those bonds and connections are dysfunctional. If you become too intertwined with each other, it can raise a few red flags and lead to much larger issues.
Read MoreAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can have a huge impact on your child’s life. It can affect everything from how they interact with others to how well they do in school.
This neurodevelopmental disorder is often hard to spot right away because signs and symptoms can vary. It’s also often easy to misdiagnose. This is because many parents don’t know what to look for.
ADHD typically shows up in younger children. It’s often officially diagnosed by the time kids have reached their teenage years.
While ADHD needs to be professionally diagnosed by a doctor, there are some symptoms you can look for if you suspect your child might have the disorder.
Read MoreThe blended family is the “new” family structure. Yet, making a blended family blend is easier said than done.
In short, blending families is not exactly as The Brady Bunch portrayed. Rather, creating new traditions and rituals of connection may end up looking more like a football pileup than a happily blended family.
What you can expect are good intentions mixed with some trial and error. Unfortunately, no manual exists for such a situation. (I’m sure the Brady parents are working on that.)
However, motivated by a loving heart, you can most certainly write your own book on how to create new rituals of connection.
Here are a few keys to start you off.
Read MoreBullying has a stigma attached to it.
And bullying prevention often carries the same negative reputation.
After all, what parent wants their child to bully other children? Likely, no one reading this post.
Yet, it’s so easy for parents to look the other way when behavioral signs point in the direction of bullying conduct from their own child.
Furthermore, children prone to bullying at school often exhibit well-mannered and good behavior at home. This can make bullying prevention a bit more tricky.
So, how do you raise a child rather than a bully?
Consider these practical parenting tips.
Read MoreWhile it may be your deepest calling, caring for aging parents is no small task.
From trying to understand confusing healthcare plans to meeting with an attorney to solidify a will, the elderly don’t have it easy. And, in helping them, you don’t have it easy either.
But even in the midst of declining health, financial worries, and the overall anxiety that often befalls humans during the golden years, you and your parents can find peace.
Let’s face it, getting old is hard work. Hard work that none of us can avoid.
Nevertheless, here are six valuable tips on how to maintain your calm as your parents age and require more of your help.
Read MoreNo one truly knows what it’s like to grow old until it happens to them.
And when it does, it can be tough to handle.
Having a faithful companion by their side during the golden years could be the difference between living healthy and living distressed. These are likely the things you think about in caring for your aging friend or family member.
Be comforted in knowing that many scientific studies point to the benefits of pets for seniors.
Here are a few of those benefits.
Read MoreDivorce isn’t a “one size fits all” life event, especially for any children involved.
Because every person handles stress in a different way, the impact of divorce is both unique and long-lasting for adults and children alike.
It’s a common misconception that children under the age of five don’t feel the impact of divorce. This notion couldn’t be further from the truth. From infancy clear into young adulthood, divorce can cause a great upheaval in children’s lives.
Yet, while it disturbs them all, the turmoil affect varying ages in distinct ways.
What are the differences? Let’s consider four general age groups.
Read MoreWithout even knowing it, parents pass on a family legacy to their children—good or bad.
It’s part of the human heritage and part of belonging to a family.
One fundamental aspect of creating a family legacy is that it has a unique way of drawing the family unit together. Not only does it strengthen the bonds between each family member, but it also gives children a foundation on which to build their own lives. And in turn, create a legacy for their own family.
How exactly is this accomplished?
Through shared values.
Read MoreEveryone has an opinion. And they just love to give advice. Not just any advice. We’re talking about unsolicited and often questionable advice. This goes double in the social media age. And triple when it comes to advice about babies.
How do you separate the myths from the facts?
Read MoreNow is a unique time to be alive. With six living generations, the world is rich with an array of social culture. Furthermore, the term “full house” may have new meaning to many families.
Read MoreSelf-sacrifice is a familiar term when speaking about parenthood. Not only is it considered to be good parenting, but to sacrifice your own well-being for your child’s is deemed noble. As far as it may be from the daily truth, putting an oxygen mask on yourself before your child should be the standard. Most people ignore this advice, however, and attempt to put the oxygen mask on their child first.
Read MoreWe’ve all seen families in public where every person has their attention focused on their phones. Maybe we’ve even been that family ourselves. Turning to electronic media is an easy solution to boredom, waiting in line, or taking long car trips. In the past, families would talk and communicate during these occasions. If that seems impossible now, it doesn’t mean that you’ve lost the ability to communicate as a family. You just need to rediscover and develop those skills.
Read MoreHoliday gatherings are supposed to be about reconnecting with our loved ones. The picture that our media paints of these festive occasions is one of harmony and mutual appreciation.
Read MoreHolidays are a celebration of our lives and our relationships. Family plays a big part. We connect with those who are close. We re-connect with those we don’t see quite so often. Family members, including our in-laws, of course, are people like everyone else. And some of them can be difficult people.
And so the holidays can become an exercise in how to manage difficult people.
Read MoreIt’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for blended families the holidays often bring increased stress and anxiety.
Read MoreEvery family has one – the irritated brother-in-law with a chip on his shoulder, the jealous cousin or the controlling aunt who critiques each holiday celebration as if she were hosting America’s Got Talent.
Read MorePathways to Wellness is pleased to announce our upcoming HIV/AIDS support group beginning in Summer 2014!
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