Tag Archives: How Family Works
Adoption–The Primal Wound
As a counselor, I’ve seen over the years some difficult stories related to adopted children. One I vividly remember was that of a family who adopted a infant boy, and then a couple of years later adopted an infant girl. … Continue reading
The “Joys” of Being an Introvert
I am an introvert and I’m happy being that way. I remember times when I wasn’t happy being that way. One often doesn’t feel understood by others. Our culture doesn’t really know what to do with introverts, and often … Continue reading
We’re Hurting Our Children
A recent New York Times column written by David Brooks looked at the growing divisions in American culture. People are becoming more polarized over more than just politics. Recent research out of Harvard University has made the impact of these … Continue reading
What Your Grandfather May Have Thought Before He Died
A recent book written by Bonnie Ware is titled The Top Five Regrets of the Dying. The author, an Australian, took a job tending to the care of the dying, and interviewed a number of these people during their last … Continue reading
The Art of Empathy in Family
A recent study highlighted the fact that allowing for a more open expression of emotions was related to marital satisfaction. I was talking with a couple this morning, and the husband, Ken, said, “I stop talking because I don’t want … Continue reading
Can’t Live With Them; Can’t Live Without Them–Part 2
In the previous post, we described Rhoda’s predicament. She moved from the “prison” of living with her mother, to the “prison” of her marriage. Obviously, her leaving home did not break the cycle–it typically never does. There is some important … Continue reading
Can’t Live With Them; Can’t Live Without Them — Part 1
Almost everyone has at least one person they deeply love, but at the same time, can barely tolerate. There was a USA Today headline some time ago titled, “He Loves Her, He Loves Her Not.” It was about a celebrity … Continue reading
The Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth
It’s not easy to tell the whole truth. Jim Carrey’s character finds this out in the movie Liar, Liar, where he portrays a lawyer who often is too busy for his son. So for a birthday wish, his son wishes … Continue reading
About Honoring Our Parents
We had a caller on the New Life radio and TV Program several weeks ago who asked, “How do I honor my parents?” Sounded like an easy question, but then the caller went on to say that her mother was … Continue reading
Spoiled Kids Create Perennial Adolescents
There was a fascinating article in the July issue of The New Yorker magazine that asked the question, “Why do kids rule the roost?” It was an interesting comparison between the typical American kid, and a typical six year old … Continue reading