Category Archives: parenting kids

Winning and Losing

I was talking with one of my young grandsons recently about a weekend baseball game his team had just played. When I asked if he had fun, he responded, “Well, I guess. But we were tied and it was almost over and then they scored in the last inning. I don’t like losing, Grandma.” This gave us the chance to have a long conversation about the experience and his feelings about winning and losing. To be honest, none of us really likes to lose. Sure we have the cliché responses … Continue reading

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Healing Family Wounds

Tuesday’s blog post focused on how divorce and parenting style can cause a breach in your relationship with your adult children. As a marriage and family therapist, I know there are all kinds of reasons why parents and adult children become distant. The experts used to think that negative behavior was due to bad parenting. But decent parents can raise difficult kids. Some may have a demanding temperament from birth, are harder to parent or are less responsive to influence. It’s been said that you’re only as happy as your least … Continue reading

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Rifts With Grown Kids

  When our adult children leave home, we expect them to be independent and manage on their own. But a falling out or family crisis can destroy this new  equilibrium. Estrangement has been called a silent epidemic and parents, humiliated and hurt, are too embarrassed to talk about it. Divorce can be a major factor in these painful situations. It’s common for children to believe that one parent is responsible and to align with the other whom they perceive as wronged. Since there’s already animosity between their parents, they may … Continue reading

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Passover or Easter and First-time Grandparents – Part Two

 As we’re in the midst of Passover and Easter is about to begin, this week family is at the forefront. As a first-time grandparent you must be easing into your new role.  So see if these practical ideas help: Respect your children. A lot has changed since your parenting days. There are new theories and techniques. Don’t assume that, just because you did it in a certain way, it’s the best. When you hold back, you’ll notice how capable your kids are and how lovingly they care for your grandchildren. Notice how … Continue reading

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