I recently read an article by a parent coach I admire about phrases she has used frequently over the years with her daughter. Here’s a snippet: "My daughter mouthed the words as I began to say them, "Don’t decide how things are going to be later." She has heard this phrase
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"When your child 'comes out' to you, thank them. Thank them for loving and trusting you enough to share this important part of themselves with you. They have given you a gift, an opportunity to interact with them in an open and honest way. It means they want your approval
Full Disclosure: I have my Master's in Education in School Counseling and I have worked in high schools in this capacity. And, yes, I have heard numerous unfortunate stories from families about how ineffectual their school counselor seemed to be. I’m not here to defend my profession[i], but to give
I have 3 mantras: less is more; you must start the way you want to finish; and, life is short but wide. As many of you know, I’m a planner. I’ve had my funeral folder since I was 19. Even with my good genes (my 98 year old father is
I remember going to a workshop about grief a few years back. At one point, the speaker talked about various types of support grieving folks need after the typical mourning rituals have receded and life continues on. He asked the workshop participants to pull out a sheet of paper and
In the spirit of my intention this year—to be mindful vs. mind full--I was at a gathering the other day and my attention was immediately drawn to the corner of the room where a fully-blooming Amaryllis was displayed on the side table. Its beauty was shocking. Such a weirdly amazing
Welcome back from your Thanksgiving holiday break! I have to ask. Was your time with your returning college student as wonderful as you thought it would be? Chances are there were at least some brief moments of disappointment. You thought you’d have more time together…and, yet, your student spent more
Parents, I don’t need to tell you three obvious things: Sleep is critical to our well-being (no matter what age you are). Ask any primary care physician or therapist. Tweens and teens need more sleep than they get (need an average of 9-10 hours, but almost half get fewer than
Do you remember going to a sleepaway summer camp when you were a kid? I do! My first sleepaway camping experience was a Girl Scout camp when I was in fourth grade. My mom helped me pack my duffle bag. We selected a pair of shorts, t-shirt, underpants, and socks
My colleague, Lisa, and I were comparing notes the other day. Both of us starting working in our teens (14 and 15 respectively) during the academic year as well as the summers. I worked at Sears in the drapery and bedspread department. I’ll never forget my first boss—Mr. Arnold. He