When your last baby flies away, what’s next for you?
The years between the first time you see your precious little one after birth and the day they leave home are both endless and short. Before you know it, the tiny human you once held in your arms and stared at in awe is forging their own path under their own roof.
Married parents have the advantage of having each other when their children leave home. They have someone who understands their feelings and is right there in the middle of it with them. But what about us single parents?
We might think we’re prepared for the empty nest, especially…
They seem so simple and yet, these things can make or break relationships of all kinds
When I look back at past romantic relationships, or at the relationships I have with my friends, my kids, or my family, there’s something that stands out. The relationships that are solid, healthy, happy, and loving all have the same things building their foundations. And the relationships that were unhealthy, unhappy, and/or that ended were all missing at least one of those things, leaving the relationship with an unstable foundation.
Taking a relationship from so-so to a strong bond is four steps away. Kindness, support, compliments, and respect are the cornerstones to a solid foundation of friendship and more. …
If you want a solid, happy relationship, you need to nurture it
Some people believe if something isn’t easy, it isn’t worth doing. Others believe that effort directly reflects value — harder = more value. No matter your stand, the fact is good relationships take constant work & encouragement.
Most of us don’t want to have to work too hard to make our relationships work, but if you fail to put in enough effort, you’ll find that your relationship suffers the consequences. So how do you find that balance?
People are always evolving, having new experiences, and living life. The day-to-day may stay relatively the same, but things are always changing. Meeting…
If you’re new to asking for what you want or need, it’s best to start small
No matter who you are, there are some things that are much easier to ask for than others. It’s easier to ask someone to loan you a quarter for the snack machine than for half a million to buy a house. And it’s easier to ask someone for their phone number than to ask them to marry you.
But for those who have never been able to ask for things, it can all feel too big and too hard to ask for.
If you’ve lived your life unable, or unwilling, to ask for what you want or need, it can…
Instead of crossing your fingers and hoping, try asking for what you want
There was a point in my life when asking for what I wanted was a last resort. I didn’t want to be vulnerable by admitting to what I wanted in case the other person said no. I didn’t want to confirm that they didn’t think I was worthy of what I wanted. And sometimes, I felt like I shouldn’t have to ask — they should just know. And of course, we all know what happens when you think that.
But there was another reason that I sometimes didn’t ask for what I wanted: I didn’t know what I wanted. I…
When you need help, you need to speak up
We’ve all been there. We’ve all needed help and wished someone would see our need and feel compelled to fill it. We feel like it’s obvious that we need help and so someone should just step up and help without being asked. We do so much for others without asking for anything in return and wish our efforts would be validated when we need assistance.
This simply isn’t practical and is the root cause for many of the issues that come out on a therapist’s couch. To receive help, we need to actually articulate our need — and get specific…
If you’re looking for something simple that can improve all your relationships, you’ve found it
Humans are pack animals. Unless you’re off the grid in the remote Arctic Outback, we are all in relationships. These relationships range from intimate to casual depending on the value we place on them. Being mindful can enhance all relationships and make them easier and more meaningful.
Relationships like:
● Parent-Child
● Husband-Wife
● Siblings
● Community
Your mindfulness can make each of these relationships better. By taking simple steps, you can maximize your relationships and make them healthier and easier to be in. Let’s take a look at exactly how that can happen.
Parent-Child
The parent-child relationship morphs all the…
If you’re looking for more mindfulness, these tips can help you find it
Have you ever noticed after you bought a new car, that you saw that car on the street way more often? This is because your awareness was raised, and you had a certain radar for that car. Have you ever had a memory or thought triggered by the smell of someone’s perfume or the notes of a song? These are examples of mindfulness. You are hyper aware of these things because you formed a connection to them — you were paying attention through one of your senses at a moment that seemed important and it made a lasting impression.
But…
Mindfulness has become a buzzword but do you really know the basics about it?
Have you heard the term mindfulness? Mindfulness can be used as a therapeutic technique designed to teach you to be in the present moment, along with acknowledging your associated feelings, thoughts, and experiences. Mindfulness is designed to take your focus off yesterday and tomorrow and pay close attention to today.
The benefits of mindfulness are incredible because they truly teach you to “stop and smell the roses.” In the spirit of mindfulness, there is no better time than the moment you are in. …
Who says play is just for kids?
How many times did your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters, or even your friend’s parents tell you, “Go outside and play?” If you’re anything like me, it was a lot! And if it was raining or there were other reasons not to go outside, it would just be shortened to, “Go play.”
As a parent myself, I also know how often I said it to my kids. But even now that my kids are grown or nearly grown, I still tell them to go play.
The importance of play doesn’t end when we reach adulthood. Play remains a vital way…
