Conscientious families are generally concerned about all of the problems prevalent in society, but the most disconcerting are apt to be the issues that impact them the most, either directly, or indirectly. Economy At the top of the list of…
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Communication is a skill that encompasses effective speaking and active listening. Relationship problems are often attributed to inability to communicate. Compatibility between couples hinges on each individual understanding where the other person is “coming from.” No matter how strong the…
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One of the most devastating issues for the elderly is fear of losing their independence. The fear is magnified when they begin to experience the inevitable limitations imposed by physical frailty. Compromised hearing and sight might inhibit their ability to…
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People lie for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it seems easier to lie than to tell the truth and face the consequences of one’s actions. Sometimes one might rationalize that telling “a little white lie” is the honorable thing to…
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In the course of a lifetime you might run across many different types of personalities in the workplace, on the homefront and in social encounters. One of the most difficult types is the patronizing individual; that person who perceives him/herself…
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Most guests try to be considerate and pick up after themselves, but occasionally you may have a visitor who is “messy” by your standards. Everyone does not have the same standard of cleanliness. What to you is a mess might…
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August 2, 2013 Marriage and Divorce
The theory that “opposites attract” is never more evident than in a marriage between an introvert and an extrovert. Can these two personality types, who are polar opposites in their approach to life, survive and thrive in a united partnership?…
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If the woman in your life appears to be out-of-sorts and discontent, perhaps she is not hearing enough of the things a woman loves to hear. Maybe she feels that she is being taken for granted. Some women spend huge…
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Competing for the time and attention of their parents is the way many sibling rivalries develop. There can be elements of jealousy, resentment and anxiety due to perceptions of how parental fairness is doled out among the siblings. Often, the…
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Adverse situations, such as being temporarily poor due to job loss, can sometimes be a motivating force to encourage people to seek ways to improve their station in life. Long term dire poverty, however, can impact families in negative ways…
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There was a time when “family” had two traditional components. There was the nuclear family, meaning parents and siblings, and the extended family of grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. Tracing genealogy and creating a family tree was straightforward and uncomplicated….
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Establishing and maintaining effective communication skills is a challenge for any marriage. When a spouse is in the military, stationed away from home or deployed to a war zone, the difficulty communicating and keeping a viable relationship is compounded. There…
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Teaching kids about the importance of family is crucial to their sense of self. Where they come from, who they belong to, and where they can turn in time of need are all components of the concept of “family” that…
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Sympathy cards can be very comforting to persons who are grieving the lost of someone near and dear. A card expressing condolences carries a dual message; it says, “I care about you”, and “I care that your loved one is…
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July 31, 2013 Marriage and Divorce
Being successful at marriage is a challenge under any circumstances, so when a newly married couple discovers that their differences outweigh the qualities and traits they have in common, the result can be a struggle of wills. When a couple…
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Expressing condolences at a funeral can be awkward. Finding the proper way to convey your care and concern might be a challenge, when you are potentially feeling a high level of discomfort over the sadness and grief of the occasion….
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Cultural etiquette varies from country to country. Behaviors and gestures that are considered normal in America or Europe can actually be perceived as rude in some other places. For example, we Americans, and our British counterparts, consider eye contact to…
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The most important problem senior citizens face today is loss of independence. All other issues fall under this umbrella of incovenience and distress. Whether older persons have financial hardships, failing health or isolation concerns, the resulting problems inevitably infringe on…
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July 30, 2013 Friends and Peers
A true friend supports, encourages and empathizes, but does not interfere. If your friend asks your advice about his/her relationship, you can rest assured doubts are already in place and further input from you will not add anything and might…
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Every debate question cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. Debate, by its definition, is a discussion of opposing views on a given subject. A simple yes or no puts an end to any potential discussion. If there…
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Categorizing the reasons people lie is not an easy task due to the fact that there are many types of lies and degrees of untruthfulness. For example, a person might tell a “little white lie,” or lie by simply omitting…
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Between holding down full time jobs and keeping up with all the chores involved in home maintenance, today’s exhausted parents don’t often have much quality time left over to spend with the family. You might be physically present, but mentally calculating…
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When you love people, you’re apt to care deeply about their opinion of you. By the same token, you hold them in high regard and feel guilty if you occasionally view them as frustrating. You might even lament to yourself,…
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In an ideal world everyone would be able to spend their elderly years in their own home, surrounded by familiar possessions and comforted by warm memories. Unfortunately, for some, aging is accompanied by physical and mental challenges that are not…
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Men don’t necessarily ‘hate’ women who nag, but they might intensely dislike the negative trait. A nagging woman displays a lack of trust that her man is competent to accomplish anything without her intervention and supervision. Nagging is rude behavior and…
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Starting the day on a positive note can be a challenge for working mothers, who have so much to do and so little time. With an overflowing plate it is difficult to think about “seizing the day,” “cherishing the moments”…
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Is it possible to tell if a person is lying by observing his actions? Actions supposedly speak louder than words, and according to famed psychiatrist, Alan R. Hirsch, M.D., this is never more true than when a person is attempting…
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Verbal communication skills come naturally to some, while for others it takes practice to have a smooth conversation with almost anyone about almost anything. Everyone wants to be considered friendly. Not overly friendly, but just enough of a conversationalist to be…
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When a couple seems at odds in their looks, personality or attitudes, often the following questions will be posed by onlookers. “What does she see in him?” or “How can he stand her incessant talking?” The concluding answer is invariably,…
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One of the best ways to record your family history is through pictures. It is fun to observe the growth and changes that occur and browsing through the family picture album is apt to stir loving memories of days past….
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