Kids should have to worry about the following things: Do I have someone to play with?  Can I get my homework done?  As they get older, they may turn to more grave matters such as:  Is it obvious I’m getting…
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When you judge someone else, you define yourself, not them. (Paraphrased from Dr. Wayne Dyer.) During the course of my life I have tended to be a very opinionated person. For those on the receiving end of my strong opinions,…
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Families of alcoholics have Al-anon to help them cope with the addict. There should be a similar one for relationships, where people can meet and share good practice and practical approaches to family/ relationship problems. Many parents meet at various…
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I blame a lot on my parents. We were loud, judgmental and crass. We were unforgiving, stubborn and emotional. A cousin of mine once said that it was not a family gathering at my house unless “someone laughed, someone cried…
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Let’s face it – getting spanked isn’t the most enjoyable thing for a child to experience. Due to their limited thinking abilities, they have no comprehension of crime and punishment, and this often leads to children trying to get away…
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When I was twelve years old my mother became pregnant with her fourth child. Two years prior she had given birth to my baby brother, Jesse. I was elated with my brother Jesse’s birth. I exploded with the news of…
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The betrayal of family members by lying is one of the most devastating things to a relationship that can happen. Lying is is the equivalent of making a withdrawal from an emotional bank account. Without regular deposits of honesty, love,…
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Many families harbor dangerous secrets, that if exposed may humiliate and bring shame to the family. Some of these secrets may be circumstances beyond anyone’s control, yet the family still does not want to reveal the secrets. The secrets can…
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Family counseling can provide a needed outside perspective to navigate financial challenges, behavior needs for a child, or help a family make adjustments due to issues like divorce or adoption. Families have options ranging from private counselors, community-based counseling, and…
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Here in Australia it’s the beginning of a new school year. Our little boy is in grade 1. Thankfully his school uniform clothing from kindy still fits him and is still in good condition. However, he did need a new…
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Children are not born with the knowledge of right and wrong and it is the parent’s responsibility to teach them what is acceptable in society. I have been a mother for twelve years to four daughters. Before I had children,…
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There are problems in every family and every couple goes through rough patches in their relationship, but the way we handle different circumstances will define what kind of relationship you will have. Sooner or later you will be faced with…
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Communication issues: never send a family member to the store for something you want This has probably happened to many of us who has put trust in a family member to grab something from the grocery store or mall when…
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Band-aids are great for small wounds, but for those big, gaping holes in family hearts, you will need to bring out the heavy gauge sutures. When family ties are allowed to be broken, for whatever reason, there is a piece…
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The effects of fatherless families on boys are quite numerous. A little boy needs his father for so many reasons. They need their father to teach them how to be a boy and the things you need to learn to…
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Five Steps to Breaking the Caregiver Cycle Life is funny, some times bad things happen to good people. When something bad happens to your people, it is good to be able to help them in their time of need, but…
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With work, school, and egregious amounts of commitments, the lives of many families are anything but simple. Each and every person likely has a long list of scheduled activities, and combining everything in the family can be a monumental task….
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