Narcissism: How to Recognize and Navigate Extreme Egos
Are self-centeredness and narcissism on the rise? Based on the headlines, it sure seems that way. Stories that expose greed appear to outnumber stories of generosity by a wide margin. You may be surprised to learn that although instances of narcissistic behavior may seem common, the disorder is actually fairly rare. Only about .5 to […]
Navigating Parent-Teacher Conferences after Divorce
If you’re still adjusting to a divorce, you may be avoiding situations where you might run into your ex. That’s understandable, especially if there’s bitterness between you. Nevertheless, you’re still parents, and that means you should both participate in parent-teacher conferences with your child’s teacher. No matter how awkward the interaction might be, it’s in […]
Divorced? Make Sure Your Kids are the Focus of This Year’s Halloween
“I’m sorry to be so harsh, but for the sake of your children, I don’t care if the man or woman you once loved has betrayed every promise ever made to you and cackled over the shattered pieces of your heart. If he or she is no danger to your child – as determined by […]
How to Improve Your Relationship with Social Media
In 2019, the number of social media users worldwide stands at about 3.484 billion (Smart Insights). The fact that social media networks have penetrated such a large portion of the world’s population should be a surprise to absolutely no one. And as I’ve previously discussed on this blog, there is both a positive and a […]
How Divorced Parents Can Help Their Child Plan for College
Now that another school year is underway, parents of high school students will soon be facing decisions about their child’s future. If your child’s future involves college, the planning can’t start soon enough. And if you’re divorced, you may need to be especially vigilant about communicating with your ex-spouse during this time. With that in […]
7 Tips for Communicating with Your Child
During media interviews, I’m often asked for advice about a range of delicate topics, including everything from suicide and bullying to grades and social media. One piece of advice that continues to surface in almost every interview is the importance of communicating with your child. When children are very young, this is easier to do, […]
Back-to-School Planning for Divorced Parents
Now that we’ve flipped the calendar to August, many families are thinking about the beginning of a new school year. While this can be a busy and somewhat stressful time for any parent, divorced parents may need to be especially vigilant about their planning and communication. With that in mind, here are some guidelines for […]
Managing Anxiety in the Aftermath of a Mass Shooting
As I write this post, the country is still reeling from three mass shootings in a week. Two of those shootings occurred within 24 hours. All three incidents occurred in public places where people commonly gather. And all three places were perceived as being safe – until they weren’t. As mass shootings become more commonplace, […]
How to Limit Your Phone Time and Get On With Your Life
How many times a day do you check your phone? Could it be 10, 20 – or maybe even more? According to the U.S. edition of the 2018 Global Mobile Consumer Survey from Deloitte, American consumers check their smartphones an average of 52 times each day. If you’re a millennial, that number jumps to 150. […]
10 Ways to Help Your Child Cope with Your Divorce
By now, most of us are familiar with the statistics surrounding divorce. In western cultures, where more than 90 percent of people marry by the age of 50, about 40 to 50 percent of those marriages end in divorce. (Encyclopedia of Psychology) When children are involved, parents must find a way to convey the news […]
