One of the few challenges more difficult than parenting is parenting a special needs child. The angst of working through medical issues, academic issues, and dealing with sometimes daunting equipment is just a fraction of the concerns that such parents have. So anything that can make otherwise intimidating equipment actually put a smile on one’s...
Conscious uncoupling? What? Are we talking about train cars here? Apparently not. Apparently ‘conscious uncoupling’ is a gentle, lovely term for an often chaotic, unlovely life situation. Divorce. But if we use unemotional words, maybe we can convince ourselves that this is an unemotional event, nobody will get hurt, and all will live happily ever...
With April Fool’s Day right around the corner, it’s not too soon to be thinking about that harmless prank you want to play on your spouse – so you can be first to say: “April fools!” Here are 5 possibilities: 1. Change their screensaver. Maybe a jumbo, smiling shot of your face. Or something big,...
Remember the passion that came with dating? How you exerted great effort to impress your mate? How wonderful you felt when what you did caused this special person to smile? If your relationship is feeling a bit flat – or before it does – mentally review your past. Then vow to recreate it – on...
Spring is officially here – in spite of what the weather may be telling you! Here are five ways to shake off the cold and bring some spring to your environment – and your step! 1. Start a windowsill herb garden. Or a forced bulb to have daffodil or tulip in your line of sight...
Part of my job is interviewing people – clients, witnesses, experts, children. In an attempt to move the conversation along to the part where I can be helpful, I am often tempted to go all Jack Webb on people (just the facts, ma’am, just the facts). But I have learned hurrying people along, rushing their...
Does kitchen clutter cause conflict in your home? Maybe I’m just projecting here! It’s been my experience that one way to learn some new (not-so-good) words is to be present while a spouse tries to open a kitchen drawer that is jammed. Some utensil, in an apparent attempt to escape, is now lodged in such...
There are good interruptions. Such as: “We interrupt this commercial to give you great news.” Or when the bleeding of a wound is interrupted by the wound being staunched – a life-saving interruption. But many interruptions are just plain rude. And while rude is rarely good, it’s even worse when directed at our spouse –...
The seventh annual Good Deed Day is being celebrated on March 9, 2014. This international event was started in 2007 to encourage people to focus on good and do good in simple ways – in the form of a ‘good deed.’ And what a wonderful response has resulted! To read about the story and mission...
Fat Tuesday. Some are putting on masks and wrapping themselves in beads to appear happy or mysterious. Some of the masks are beautiful. But they’re temporary. They’re decoration. They’re an illusion. Somebody presenting themself differently than who they are. Masks can be fun for a short time. We look different. Which sometimes makes us momentarily...
