As teens transition into adulthood, one crucial aspect of their development is often overlooked: financial responsibility. Helping your teen with money management skills early on can pave the way for a lifetime of financial success and stability. Here are some practical strategies for instilling financial responsibility in teenagers. Lead by Example: Parents and guardians serve as primary role models for teenagers. Demonstrating responsible financial habits, such as budgeting, saving, and investing, can have a profound impact on teens’ attitudes towards money. Engage in open discussions about ..read more

Managing downtime for parents can be crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and promoting family well-being. Today’s blog focuses on setting boundaries as a way to help parents manage downtime: Setting boundaries can help you prioritize your needs and maintain your emotional well-being. Here are some key points for parents to think about: 1. Identify Priorities: Reflect on your priorities and values to determine what truly matters (to you) during downtime. This helps you establish clear boundaries around activities that align with your goals and well-being as a parent and a perso ..read more

Love Valentine’s Day, a day dedicated to celebrating love, often conjures up images of romantic dinners and heartfelt gestures between couples. However, for parents, amidst the chaos of raising children, finding time to nurture their relationship can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Yet, along with bedtime stories and diaper changes, there lies an opportunity to rediscover and strengthen the love that brought you together in the first place. Let’s explore how parents can celebrate Valentine’s Day in meaningful ways that resonate with the realities of parenthood. Here are 5 tips to keeping ..read more

Photo by nappy on Pexels.com Helping your child navigate the complex landscape of emotions is a crucial aspect of their development. Their ability to respond appropriately whether at home, school or when out with their friends, is important. As my parents used to say – “When you leave this house, you represent this family.” Which simply meant don’t embarrass them or our family’s name. In this blog, we explore mindful practices that can empower your child to manage their emotions effectively, fostering emotional intelligence for a healthier, happier life. 1. Understanding Emotions: Start by hel ..read more

Photo by Khoa Vu00f5 on Pexels.com You can always tell when the holidays are coming… You feel a little out of sorts… Maybe melancholy… Why now and how do you handle the ‘holiday blues‘? Here are 5 tips to get you through the holidays:  Embrace Change: Allow yourself to adapt to changes in traditions or plans. Sometimes, new experiences can bring unexpected joy. Focus on Gratitude: Reflect on the positive aspects of your life. Gratitude can shift your perspective and improve your overall mood. Limit Social Media: Reduce exposure to idealized versions of the holidays on social media. Real ..read more

During one of my Thanksgiving blogs a few years ago, I must’ve written too much about positive family experiences. My daughter commented that not everybody had positive experiences at Thanksgiving, and I needed to be mindful of that. Since I write about how to build and maintain family lives and great relationships, I just chalked up her comments as “her feelings” and moved on. This year we’ve had new members join our family, new babies being born, and I thought about the people in my life who are no longer there; my mom, my dad, and various other favorite people that I miss dearly. So I wal ..read more

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com Prior to the birth of my 4-year-old grandson, it amazed me when parents didn’t know their kids were visiting inappropriate sites online or talking to inappropriate people posing as kids their age. How could that happen? Once my grandson was born, I realized how easily he adapted to technology. Normal ways to curtail his access like passwords and locked phones didn’t seem to work. As a person who embraced tech, I realized how closely he (and all of the other 21st century tech children) would have to be monitored, to be kept safe.  In my social media p ..read more

Where does active listening fit when it comes to grief? Photo by Alex Green on Pexels.com Grief is an intensely personal journey, a complex emotional landscape that can be difficult to travel alone. In times of loss and mourning, the support of loved ones and friends becomes invaluable. Supporting a child through grief, takes patience. Another powerful tool for providing this support is active listening.  Here are three thoughtsto think about when it comes to grief and active listening: 1. The Nature of Grief: Grief is a natural response to loss, whether it’s the death of a loved one, the ..read more

Us My kid brother and I were 5 years and 8 days apart. I considered him my twin because we thought the same way and marched to a different drumbeat than the rest of the family. Don’t misunderstand me. We were not the people in charge, our parents were. However, I believed rules were simply guidelines (broken when necessary), and my brother followed me. Then life changed. When I started attending high school, it was not in the community where I grew up, but an hour away. Being five years younger, my brother had other interests. I liked boys and music; he liked Hot Wheels and building items out ..read more

Homesickness is an emotion that transcends age and experience, but when it strikes college students, it can be particularly overwhelming. I experienced homesickness during my freshman year of college, and was miserable until 3 things happened. The transition from the comfort of home to the independence of college life can trigger a wave of nostalgia and longing for familiar surroundings, family, and friends. In this blog, we’ll explore the common causes of homesickness in college students and provide practical tips to help them navigate this emotional journey. Understanding the Causes 1. **Ch ..read more