***Yin and Yang Mom is not receiving any compensation from Kohl's for the publishing of this blog*** Are you planning your next family vacation? Holidays don’t have to be expensive, and there are lots of ways you can save while still having a great time. Follow these tips for a budget-friendly and stress-free holiday that you and your family will be talking about for years. Budget-Friendly Planning If you want to enjoy big savings on your next family holiday, planning your trip is important. Road trips are cheaper than flying, but if you ..read more

Do you find yourself fighting the urge to say to your teen,  “Been there, done that. Let me show you how it’s done?”  I do, too… although looking back to my younger days, I can honestly say that I learned the most when I had to solve things myself. (On a personal note, my children were amazed to hear that when I studied abroad during my junior year of college, I was only able to call home three times. There were no cell phones, no computers or email, and it cost $40 for a 20-minute phone call, which I had to make from the post office.  Even though the program was well-supervised, I had lots o ..read more

Catharsis [kəˈTHärsəs] NOUN The process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions."music is a means of catharsis for them" Cathartic [kəˈTHärdik] ADJECTIVE Providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions; causing catharsis.“crying is a cathartic release” Schedule a consultation with Julia… Psychotherapy offers clients many things, i ..read more

Transitions aren’t always easy for me.  Big changes, small ones – I don’t always handle such things with the easy-breezy attitude that I imagine others possess.  And my personality type is in stark contrast to that of my husband.  I think if it wasn’t for my him, I would still be bathing my kids (they’ve transitioned to showers for a while now). They’d still be in 4T clothing (they’re petite, but this is pushing it), and I’d be putting toothpaste on their toothbrushes in perpetuity. It’s not that I don’t realize when transitions are upon us. I just think I’m much later to the game than he is b ..read more

“Is it true?”  This simple question comes from The Work, a process of self-examination and healing created by Byron Katie.  These three little words encourage us to examine our assumptions and beliefs because so often they are not accurate or true. My own thoughts can send me down the rabbit hole of fear and anxiety.  ‘So-and-so didn’t respond the way I’d hoped. She doesn’t like me or doesn’t approve of what I’m doing.”  Is it true?  Do I know, really know, that she doesn’t approve of me?  Of course not.  I’ve made an assumption based on my own need to be liked, or because the ‘not good enough ..read more

Do finances have you stressed out? You’re not alone. Financial stress is one of the top areas of concern for most American families, but this doesn’t have to be the case, especially when you take care of some basic financial planning steps to reduce concerns your money worries. If you are looking to do some financial planning, here are some helpful tips for getting started. How to Plan for Worst-Case Scenarios… Buy The Right Life Insurance Policy  Just like being a parent, financial readiness means planning the best- and worst-case scenarios. You need to plan for unexpected life events, includ ..read more

There’s a lot of talk about tough love, especially from people who mean well when you share your concerns about your kids.  The old definition of tough love was “No more, we’re done, you’re out of here.”  There are some kids who turn it around with that kind of ultimatum.  And then there are plenty who do not. Either way, there can be long-term fallout for so many of them.   A mom I know recently confided that her 19-year old son lives at home, doesn’t work and doesn’t go to school. He refuses to help out around the house, and he berates her.  Her well-intentioned friends offered all kinds of ..read more

To anyone who has been the recipient of a spontaneous disclosure of domestic violence, on behalf of survivors everywhere, I thank you for believing, supporting and respecting those who have experienced domestic violence of any kind. And remember that you are not alone. Click here to access the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Surviving an abusive relationship is one of the hardest thin ..read more

Have you ever asked an ‘innocent question’ and all hell broke loose? That’s because innocent questions are rarely innocent. You think you’re going in with curiosity and good intentions, but there’s often an ulterior motive you may not be aware of. If you’ve been on the receiving end of a supposedly innocent question and felt attacked, imagine how your kids feel in that situation. I have learned that just because it feels like an innocent question or comment to me doesn’t mean the person in front of me hears it that way. And ..read more

If you want baby daddy to step up to the plate more often, STOP BEING A CONTROL FREAK! I know that many of our readers have amazing partners who are at least 50% or more involved in all aspects of child-rearing!!! Two thumbs up for you! For the rest of us who feel like we are carrying around a 100-ton bag of bricks on our shoulders 24 hrs a day, there is relief. It's laying right beside you in bed, sleeping and looking all angelic even though you want to turn over and kick him in the head when the baby starts crying. Natura ..read more