Category Archives: extended family

Healing family rifts

Is your family ready for the holidays? No I don’t mean whether you’ve got most of the shopping and cooking done. The bigger issue at this time of year is preparing for the inevitable tensions and conflicts that arise at family holiday gatherings. The typical pressures created by living together can become exacerbated by the high expectations of the season. And interactions can become particularly strained when you have a Millennial Boomerang Kid at home. Saturday Night Live played Adele’s song “Hello” to prevent a brawl at the table in … Continue reading

Posted in adult children, extended family, parenting kids, well-being, your self | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Healing family rifts

Celebrating holidays with your adult children

In these times of stress, fear and uncertainty, we turn to family and friends for comfort – and to time-tested rituals for feelings of security. Particularly in this holiday season, many will come together to honor customs and gain a sense of stability. Yet as families grow and change, so do holiday celebrations. Now that Hanukkah is here, relatives are gathering in various constellations across the country. For some, the family is smaller as older parents become infirm and adult children move away. For others, relatives travel across the country … Continue reading

Posted in adult children, extended family, parenting kids, your self | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Celebrating holidays with your adult children

Grandparents Week

National Grandparents Day has been celebrated in the United States every year since 1978 on the first Sunday after Labor Day. It gives both grandchildren and grandparents an opportunity to reflect on the importance of each other. The statute establishing the holiday includes these words about the purpose of Grandparents Day: “…to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.” Grandparents of babies revel in the thrill of new life … Continue reading

Posted in extended family, well-being, your self | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shared Joy

This year the last day of Chanukah falls on Christmas Eve, reminding us of the unique connection many inter-faith families share. And for those of us who observe only one of the holidays, it’s nice to see how our friends are enjoying their special parties. Getting together with family enhances the combination of fun, warmth, good food and beautiful decorations – whatever event you’re celebrating. And studies have shown that when families join together to practice their customs and rituals, there’s a positive effect on the children. They’re more likely … Continue reading

Posted in extended family, parenting kids, well-being, your self | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment