Category Archives: your self

Finding Hope through Tragedy

  So many innocent families in Newtown, Connecticut are heartbroken as they plan funerals for their loved ones and mourn their overwhelming losses. The whole country is searching for understanding and answers for themselves and their children. How can we comprehend the confusing reality of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook School? Perhaps we can’t – it may be just too multi-faceted. Chances are, despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, there will always be people struggling with mental illnesses. It can be a no win solution for parents who have … Continue reading

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Celebrate Chanukah with Traditional Foods and Less Stress

Now that Chanukah is in full swing, I’ve been enjoying the holiday with family and friends. And what is a celebration without the traditional foods – potato pancakes (latkes), donuts (sofganiot) and chocolate coins (gelt). Food has always been an important part of family rituals – sometimes the scents alone can bring back vivid memories of shared holidays. And it can transcend generations: frying latkes reminds me of watching my mother make them for us as kids, making dozens for my own children, and now preparing them to take to … Continue reading

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Celebrate the Holidays with Hope not Stuff

Are you trying to keep your life in balance while honoring the complexity of this time of year? If so, look at what’s most meaningful to you. And then focus on what you want to do, not on what you think you have to do. This year let go of the idea of a perfect Christmas, Hanukah or Kwanzaa. Even though it’s important to honor the tradition of giving, the accumulation of material stuff can’t hold a candle to the gift that matters most. And bringing cheer to others is … Continue reading

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Virtual Book Tour with Dr. Ruth Nemzoff

We welcome to our blog today Ruth Nemzoff, the author of Don’t Roll Your Eyes: Making In-Laws into Family and a popular speaker on the topic of parenting adult children and family dynamics. Ruth is a resident scholar at Brandeis University’s Women’s Studies Research Center and you can find her on the web at RuthNemzoff.com. Ruth is also the author of Don’t Bite Your Tongue: How to Foster Rewarding Relationships with Your Adult Children. Whether you’re a mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, or out-law, her books will help you gain a new perspective … Continue reading

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