August 24, 2010The ABA Journal reports on dress codes for courtrooms and bans on: pajamas, saggy pants, exposed undergarments, bare feet, curlers, gang clothes, muscle shirts, tank tops, halters, bare midriffs, miniskirts (hemlines more than 4 inches above the knee),
excessive, uncovered body piercings and tattoos, flip-flops, T-shirts with inappropriate messages and clown suits.
Debra Cassens Weiss writes (excerpt):
The [...]
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February 28, 2010Pine Rest is presenting workshops and classes of interests to parents:
Starting March 4–Parenting With Love & Logic (March 4 – April 29): Pine Rest’s Holland Clinic presents an 8-week class for parents of children ages 6-12. Call 616/820-3780 for more information or to register.
Starting March 9–Together We Can: Support Our Kids During Divorce: Pine [...]
Posted in Finances/Tax, Relationships, Something Different 1 Comment »
December 24, 2009WOOD-TV reports that Grand Rapids marriage expert/author Emerson Eggerichs is off to Iraq to visit the troops. Here’s why (excerpt):
In November, the military released statistics noting in the 2009 fiscal year alone there were more than 27,000 divorces among service members. The military says those numbers have been rising steadily since 2001.
Posted in Relationships, Something Different 1 Comment »
November 8, 2009The 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 Children.”
Lisa Belkin writes (excerpt):
More enlightening than the similarities, however, are the differences, the most striking [...]
Posted in Families/Children, Relationships, Something Different 1 Comment »
October 30, 2009The New York Times focuses on a different topic (Money Talks to Have Before Marriage), but includes an interesting discussion of statistical analysis and the risk of divorce.
Ron Lieber writes (excerpt):
The risk that any marriage will end in divorce is about 45 percent, according to David Popenoe, a professor of sociology emeritus at Rutgers University. [...]
Posted in Divorce Grand Rapids, Relationships, Something Different No Comments »
October 22, 2009USAToday 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 invitation to love. It’s the most expansive, loving experience I have ever had … humbling, beautiful” — nightgown-as-streetwear [...]
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September 15, 2009The 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 collection of data by Dr. Deci and others, unconditional acceptance by parents as well as teachers should [...]
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August 18, 2009Real Simple explains how to get your brain to operate more efficiently.
Jonah Lehrer lists 10 ways to improve your thinking (excerpt):
1. Tap your emotions.
2. Don’t think under pressure.
3. Consider alternative points of view.
4. Challenge your preferences.
5. Take long showers.
6. Be skeptical of your memories.
7. Don’t expect to diet and finish the crossword.
8. Study your mistakes.
9. [...]
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August 9, 2009CNN reports on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s promise to “convey this very kind offer.”
Moni Basu writes (excerpt):
What can 40 goats and 20 cows buy a Kenyan man? Chelsea Clinton’s love, if you ask Godwin Kipkemoi Chepkurgor.
The Kenyan man first offered the dowry nine years ago to then-President Bill Clinton in asking for the [...]
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July 3, 2009The New York Times adds a little context to the looming custody issues following Michael Jackson’s death and the apparent change of heart by Debbie Rowe toward 12-year-old Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. and 11-year-old Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11. [An unidentified surrogate mother gave birth to 7-year-old Prince Michael Jackson II.]
Jonathan Glater and Liz Robbins [...]
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June 9, 2009CNN shows us the difference between controlling the outcome and controlling how we face the outcome.
Peter Bregman writes (excerpt):
So here’s the good news: You can change your results by changing your mind-set. When Dweck trained children to view themselves as capable of growing their intelligence, they worked harder, more persistently, and with greater success on [...]
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May 5, 2009CNN connects deforestation with weddings and divorces.
Arwa Damon writes (excerpt):
Newly married couples must plant 10 trees under the program. If they divorce, they must plant 50 others.
****
Environmental officials estimate around 50 million trees are needed in Garut alone to reverse the harm done by overfarming.
Indonesia’s government does not have the funds to pay for such [...]
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March 3, 2009NBC and WCBD–Charleston, SC shakes us up with the story of Reed Harris and Kaitlin Whipple. Reed tried to make a memory and he succeeded (excerpt):
Everyone except the bride-to-be was in on the plan to stash the ring in the milkshake.
To encourage her to eat the ice cream faster, they challenged her to a [...]
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August 12, 2008CNN and Real Simple help us us think faster and better on our feet through improv (excerpt):
1. The “yes…and” technique
The “yes…and” technique gives you the chance to acknowledge what’s been said and then move the conversation to a new place, where you just might discover something — or someone — delightful.
Using “yes…and” can also help [...]
Posted in Persuasion/Advocacy, Relationships, Something Different No Comments »
August 3, 2008The BBC finds not all marriage proposals require coast guard assistance (excerpt):
Two lovers were rescued as they drifted out to sea following a romantic marriage proposal in a dinghy.
Colin Howell, 35, enjoyed a champagne picnic with his girlfriend, Miriam Light, 26, before setting out from Cromer in Norfolk to pop the question.
The alarm was raised [...]
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July 14, 2008Psychology Today explains how not being “normal” is normal, and perhaps what makes you most special!
Kathleen McGowan writes (excerpt):
In probing the common standards of normality, Wood has made a surprising discovery: Being normal is actually extraordinary. It’s an unusual combination of specific traits that all have to do with being extra likable. The people who [...]
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July 11, 2008USA Today shares divorce lessons of the rich and famous. Jane Straus provided her comments on Ryan Phillippe and Reese Witherspoon, Hilary Swank and Chad Lowe, Kate Hudson and Chris Robinson, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills, Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards, and Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger. The lessons include these principles:
1. Bite [...]
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February 19, 2008CNN and Mental Floss spread the true life stories behind some America’s favorite toys!
Tim Moodie’s article highlights:
1. How the Slinky got stuck between a cult and a mid-life crisis (Betty James took over the company her husband founded–the husband who left her for Bolivia–and led the Slinky into the future with Slinky Jr., Plastic Slinky, [...]
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January 8, 2008FindLaw explains how Britney Spears is highlighting principles of Family Law and child custody disputes. Joanna Grossman identifies and discusses three lessons:
Lesson #1: Courts, not Divorcing Parents, Ultimately Decide Custody
Lesson #2: Parental Behavior Matters in Custody Battles
Lesson #3: Britney: The Paparazzi Are Not the Only Ones Watching Your Every Move
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January 3, 2008Ireland On-Line reveals the breakup of Peter Parker’s marriage to Mary Jane (excerpt):
In Spider-Man No. 545 the web-slinger agrees a deal with villain Mephisto, to protect his identity and spare his elderly Aunt May.
In return Spider-Man’s alter ego Peter Parker must turn his back on Mary-Jane and their history together – which has been erased [...]
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