Divorce: Helping Your Teen Cope
If you’re currently raising a teen – or it’s something you’ve done in the past – you know all too well that teenagers come with their own set of needs. The emotional and physical development that takes place during the teen years can be a lot to handle for anyone. But when divorce is added […]
5 Mental Health Tips for the Holidays
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – except when it’s not. Some people can’t wait for the holidays to arrive, while others are anxious for the season to be over. And for those dealing with loss or grief, pressure to put on a happy face may be especially exhausting. If the holiday season […]
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, […]
