Over the next few months, millions of families across America will gather for the holidays. Everyone is wondering who will host and what will be on our menu. Respectfully, I’d like to suggest another important question: how can I bridge the gap that exists between the generations that will gather around my table this year?…
Madonna – we all know her: A wildly successful musician. When I was younger, I remember reading a quote, originally from a 1991 Vanity Fair piece on her life, and it’s stuck with me ever since: “And all of my will has always been to conquer some horrible feeling of inadequacy. I’m always struggling with…
Are routines and rituals both needed for a healthy family environment? As human beings we all begin and end things each and every day. Mealtime, chores, work, school, and many more activities. One of the most important endings of a day is mealtime and putting our kids to bed. Both are a time to reconnect…
Be careful little ears what you hear. I remember singing those lyrics from a Sunday school song as a young child. At the time, I heard it as a warning to be careful what I listened to. And sure, there is value to being cautious about what we consciously take in. But what about all…
In the book of Ecclesiastes, it is written, “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.” (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13) The Bible is telling us – Enjoy!! With…
Valentine’s day; think about what that day means to you. For some, it’s flowers, chocolate and a romantic date night. For others, its new valentine’s pajamas for your kids, buying cards and treats for their classrooms, and making heart shaped food. For some, you experience both of these on February 14th. Valentine’s Day is a…
Children want to be seen and heard. They long for connection with their parent or caretaker. They want to know they are important, loved, and valued. What does it mean to “be seen and heard”? It means to be known and for someone to know you and take interest in and validate the things that…
Have you ever wondered if your therapist has found themselves sitting on a couch across from another therapist having the same hard and beautiful experience that you are as a client? If you have, then good news, you are not alone in asking that question. And the answer is, yes. Most therapists probably have or…
“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” (Psalms 127:3) If children are a gift from God, then why is parenting so difficult? Surely God wouldn’t just drop a blessing in our lives and then say, “Here you go, now figure it out.” There are numerous parenting books available to…
One of my fondest memories as a kid in the early 70’s was tuning-in to AM pop radio stations on family trips. This was during the days before the availability of digital car radio tuners. To listen to music without static, I had to be skilled at “tuning-in” to the desired station as we traveled.…