The Washington Post offers us ways to stay connected with teenage sons. The ideas flow from Kenneth Ginsburg, author of “Raising Kids to Thrive.” Phyllis Fagell explores these six ideas (excerpt): Focus on loving, high-yield interactions Tackle stereotypes about masculinity…
Can’t get no satisfaction?: Become a millennial father
CNN Parents declares “The path to happiness for millennial men.” According to a report by the Boston College Center for Work & Family, it’s having children and becoming an active, egalitarian father. Compared to single men without kids, millennial fathers…
Relationship advice: 11 words, 4 sentences for living and loving
On Being with Krista Tippett recently reminded us of her 2013 interview with Dr. Ira Byock. The expert in palliative care and hospice shares the core statements for any relationship and for what to say when you don’t know what…
Parenting in 10 words or less: thought-provoking compassion
Love & Logic posts as a handy refresher its one liners for getting children to think and to stop arguments. Jim Fay’s reference list includes these 5 favorites (excerpt): “Probably so.” “I bet it feels that way.” “What do you…
Extracting lies, with a little help from your mother
Craig Gray, a truly brilliant Renaissance man (and Grand Rapids’ own Krav Maga master), posted an effective tip from his PeaceWalker Program. “The Lie Detector” was inspired by the look given by a mother, and you too can use it…
Love stories: bold, sweet, hopeful, lifelong . . .
CNN Living offers up “A sweet assortment of love stories” to get us in the mood for Valentine’s Day! They asked people to leave voicemails telling their love stories and then created a multimedia page for us to share in…
Harsh parenting: bad grades, riskier behavior
CNN Parents highlights the dangers of harsh parenting: over-reliance on peers, more sexual activity, more delinquency. The study published in the journal Child Development was led by Rochelle Hentges, a postdoctoral psychology fellow at the University of Pittsburgh. It focused…
Staying happy: 5 tips for no matter what happens
CNN’s Health section highlights five coping strategies from the Dalai Lama, including being gentle with yourself, making time to reflect, keeping compassion at hand, helping, and being playful. Jen Christensen writes (excerpt): First step, work on compassion and start by…
If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter? The way to improving your life and your relationships
Psychology Today shows a method for improving relationships and marriages with its “The Tao of Improv: 5 Rules for Improvising Your Life.” Giving up control in favor of adopting with a more generous, supportive and organic mindset leads to a…
What is the secret of love? Science says a spirit of goodwill
The Atlantic went to the core of relationships and the science behind lasting relationships. So how do we make our marriages and relationships better, more enjoyable, happier, more workable, lasting? Emily Esfahani Smith writes (excerpt): There are many reasons why…
Who will take care of you and your kids?: Helping young children through divorce
Mister Rogers lives on through his words of wisdom. His advice for parents, “The Mister Rogers Parenting Book,” addresses divorce and separation, and includes (excerpt): [Y]oung children . . . want to know, “Who will take care of me?” .…
Add a little Awe to your life: How to find better health and more happiness
Parade Magazine focuses on the link between the wonder of Awe and the resulting health and happiness. Psychologist Dacher Keltner refers to Awe as a transcendent feeling “of something vast or beyond human scale.” You feel connected and “see things…
“The kids are the project and their well-being is the goal”: Helping children of divorce
CNN spotlights how to help children adjust to their parents’ divorce without unnecessary anxiety, depression and other emotional distress. Kelly Wallace writes (excerpt): “No. 1 would be teamwork, teamwork, teamwork,” said [Dr. Michelle] Rozen, who also works as a parenting…
How to apologize: meaning & empathy
CNN addresses children and apologies, offering lessons to us all. Kelly Wallace writes (excerpt): Erik Fisher, a psychologist working in the Atlanta area and co-author of “The Art of Empowered Parenting: The Manual You Wish Your Kids Came With,” said…
Is there a life waiting for me after divorce or a breakup? 4 tips for moving toward what you really want
The Chicago Tribune provides comments on moving forward after a divorce or breakup. Alison Bowen writes her article under these four themes (excerpt): Give yourself space Address practical concerns Figure out what you want the future to be Don’t jump…
How do I know if he or she is an abuser? 15 warning signs
Dear Abby reprinted her warning signs of an abuser, whether boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife. Her risk factors include (excerpt): 1. PUSHES FOR QUICK INVOLVEMENT . . . . 2. JEALOUS . . . . 3. CONTROLLING . . .…
“What he did to me doesn’t expire”: Pulling pine needles out of your hair
Following up on the Brock Allen Turner Rape Case at Stanford BuzzFeed News has posted the victim’s Impact Statement. While he faced about a 14 year prison sentence, Turner received 6 months in jail. The 12-page Victim Impact Statement concluded…
The joy of marriage: Picking a good mate and getting lucky
Time’s June 13, 2016 edition features the cover story “How to Stay Married (and why).” Factors favoring long-term marriages include: getting married after age 26, having college degrees, not having kids and not being pregnant, being employed and having financial…
Parenting gone wild: words, emotions and warnings
Love & Logic highlighted six questions to ask yourself when your parenting efforts aren’t going well. Their recent newsletter included these three self-evaluation tools (excerpt): 1. Am I using too many words as I implement the technique? The more words…
Rebuilding trust into relationship: Time, choice, emotions
Jim Daly’s column discussed forgiveness and reconciliation in the context of infidelity. Jim Daly writes (excerpt): [F]orgiveness is an individual decision, whereas reconciliation is a joint venture. . . . Without true forgiveness there can be no reconciliation, but one…