Love and Logic News challenges us with measuring the energy we exert in trying to find the perfect gift for our children compared to the energy we exert showing our children what a gift they are to us. Dr. Charles…
Collaborating your way through perceptions
Grand Rapids Collaborative Divorce shows us how the collaborative divorce process can move through perceptions by promoting fairness in ways the court system simply cannot (excerpt): In a collaborative divorce, you are accorded dignity and respect. The commitment from the…
Women versus Men: I’m sorry I was wrong about being bad
USA Todayshows us that women apologize more than men (and want more apologies from men) because they have a different standard for offensive behavior. Sharon Jayson writes (excerpt): New research on apologies from Canadian psychologists finds that men have a…
Wabi Sabi the people in your life: celebrating imperfection
USA Today reminds us that imperfections can “bring life together perfectly.” Craig Wilson writes (excerpt): But what I was most pleased to learn is that wabi sabi pertains to people, too — that you accept each other, even when they…
Old school: One child, two parents
The Associated Press reported on Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg speech at a Colorado judicial conference. She commented on parenting a spirited child. Kristen Wyatt writes (excerpt): Ginsburg told a humorous story about having a young son while teaching…
The high cost of COBRA coverage: For most, no end in sight
USA Today highlights the problems displaced workers are encountering when their COBRA subsidy ends or they do not qualify. Note: At the time of a divorce, an employee’s former spouse is eligible for COBRA coverage for 36 months, but someone…
Just say no?: Separation without divorce
The New York Times highlights the “Un-Divorced” who choose to stay separated. Pamela Paul writes (excerpt): “Many people I’ve worked with over time enjoy the benefits of being married: the financial perks, the tax breaks, the health care coverage,” said…
Sexting your life away: viral epidemic?
USA Today highlights the rise in people–especially teens but also adults–who send text messages with sexual content or nude pictures of themselves. Stephanie Steinberg writes (excerpt): To combat the problem, Sophy says, schools should incorporate lessons about appropriate texting in…
“Being there is 80 percent of the job”–Chris Rock on Fathers
USA Today shows how “non-resident” dads who don’t live with their children are staying involved with them. Half of all children will spend part of their lives living apart from their fathers. Sharon Jayson writes (excerpt): “The point isn’t what…
Discipline for stepparents
The Love and Logic Institute issued its weekly email newsletter with help for stepparents feeling the need to discipline stepchildren. The four tips flow from the Love and Logic consultant style of parenting (fully documented in the many resources available…
No marriage left behind? Exposing the marriage myths
Common Ground sheds light on four myths about marriage. Claire Maisonneuve writes (excerpt): Myth #1: Resolving your conflicts is the key to a happy marriage. [The key is that partners need to feel like they are accepted for who they…
The kids are alright: How children of same-sex couples are doing
The New York Times shows how children of same-sex couples are doing just fine, highlighting research by Abbie E. Goldberg, an assistant professor in the department of psychology at Clark University and author of “Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their…
Appreciating strengths: Accepting different ways of parenting
The New York Timesdiscusses a study about involving fathers, as well as the benefits of co-parenting or parallel parenting. Laurie Tarkan writes (excerpt): . . . [T]he critical difference was not greater involvement by the fathers in child-rearing but greater…
Most expansive: What motherhood means to Uma Thurman
USAToday shares some of Uma Thurman’s reflection on motherhood and “Motherhood,” including struggling to balance home and work lives, and being caught outside in her nightgown. Olivia Barker writes (excerpt): So, then, what does motherhood mean to her? “It’s an…
The Reader: Why No Outrage About an Adult Female Sexually Molesting an Adolescent Boy?
I am alarmed that we’ve heard very little outrage at the normalization of an adult woman having sex with an adolescent boy as seen in the academy award winning movie The Reader. This lack of anger speaks to the gender…
How to increase your custodial-parenting time
Richard Forrest Gould-Saltman posted a summary of how a non-custodial parent can maximize parenting time. The summary was written with California in mind, but many of the principles are equally applicable across the country. Mr. Gould-Saltman writes: The things you…
He loves me, he loves me not: What do your children think?
The New York Times summarizes the research showing how TV guru Phil McGraw and Supernanny Jo Frost have it all wrong: using “I Love You” to control behavior harms children. Alfie Kohn writes (excerpt): In practice, according to an impressive…
When the kids come between you: save your marriage, help your children
CNN and Parenting.com gives us 11 tips on how to save your marriage from your kids Teri Cettina’s list includes (excerpt): Create warm welcomes Try 20-minute reconnects Set early bedtimes Share the load Encourage your kids’ independence Revive your past…
Finding the right balance: work and family
CNN & CareerBuilder offer tips for mixing family and career. Jason Ferrara writes (excerpt): 1. Communicate Don’t reserve your open dialogues only for your boss. Make sure you’re talking to your family about what’s happening at work . . .…
Back seat drivers: Moms who control dads’ time with the kids
The Wall Street Journal shows how “gatekeeper” mothers can help or hinder the involvement of fathers. Sue Shellenbarger writes (excerpt): Some ideas on avoiding the gatekeeping trap: Skills training. . . . In the hospital after childbirth, Mr. Edwards already…