What to do with the kids during isolation?
Did you ever wish that life would just stop – that you could get off the train and take a break for awhile. Well, you’re here. And if you are a parent, the children are with you! That might not have been part of the fantasy but do be careful what you wish for. What […]
Loving versus enabling
When we care for someone, whether it be our spouse, our child, a friend, or an aging parent, we try to take into account their limitations, their preferences, and maybe even their quirks. This is part of being a loving human being. This sentiment extends to caring for and living with people whose behaviour is […]
The cost of divorce
There is an old joke that surfaces around this time of year. A man says to his wife, “What would you like for Valentine’s Day dear?” His wife replies, “I want a divorce.” The man responds, “Oh! I wasn’t planning on spending that much.” Funny but true, the cost of divorce […]
Christmas survival guide for families
Family-oriented holidays usually stir up a range of feelings about spending time with people we love, and not all of those feelings are good. For most families there are huge expectations that Christmas will be a time when everyone is happy and everything is perfect, and because the bar gets set so high, we are […]
No shame in reaching out for help with “extreme” teens
Not all children thrive like dandelions – some of them are orchids, and when these “special” kids become teens, trouble is sometimes not far behind. An “extreme” teen might be a teen with a learning disability, some social anxiety, a pre-disposition to depression, a sense of entitlement, or a just a good old strong […]
The real must-haves for back-to-school
Some parents are running around in circles this week trying to get organized for sending the kids back to school. It is a lot of work to set up after-school care, plan lunches that kids will actually eat, and hunt out deals on new backpacks and clothing. And some kids have a pretty long list […]
Family drama in the face of change
There is often a lot of family drama that unfolds when one person in the family decides that something needs to change. Many of us humans like things to stay the same, especially when it comes to family. We find comfort in the “familiar”, even if it is unpleasant. When someone wants to change things, […]
Get real to help build self-esteem in children
In 20 years of therapy work with parents, children, youth, couples, and families, the issue of self-esteem comes up frequently. Sometimes I wonder if it is me who is always bringing it back to self-esteem, and not the client. But I can’t help seeing the damage of low self-esteem everywhere. What is self-esteem anyway? The […]