Family Vacations after Divorce The New Family Vacation I remember our family vacations together when I was a child. Every summer my parents would take us to the mountains or the beach. Although the car rides were long and we always got in trouble for asking “are we there yet?” – our family getaways were the best memories of our … Read More
Divorce, Guilt, Loyalty & Holidays
The more adults in the family, the more confusion and chaos there is in terms of holiday logistics. When step children partner up and start their own families, the number of adults who are not exactly related and who have their own family holiday traditions will grow incrementally. Talk about logistical nightmares! Take on the attitude of “the more the … Read More
Holidays and Safety: A Must Read
It’s a busy holiday season. With visiting guests, cooking big meals, and the cold weather, there is a potential hazard (or hazards) lurking in your home. Beware! Avoid these hidden dangers: 1) Aluminum wiring: Homes built with aluminum wiring are 55 times more likely than those with copper wiring to go up in smoke, and the odds of a fire … Read More
Why The 4-1-1 Books Matter
In a recent interview I was asked why I’m writing the 4-1-1 books. Although I did answer the question with “to help those that may not be able to completely help themselves,” I’ve taken time since then to reflect on this question. The 4-1-1 on Life Skills is a book about the basic life skills needed by adults of all … Read More
Step Family Life and Societal Myths
Myths are beliefs. It is these beliefs which strongly influence the way people in step families adjust to their new family and react to one another. Those in blended families think their family is abnormal or strange because it is “in-step” instead of their “real” family. Statistics show about half of all Americans are currently involved in a type of … Read More
Taking on the Role of Step Parent
Man and woman relationships alone are difficult. When you add his kids, her kids, his ex, her ex and the in-laws, most people cannot handle the pressure. Step-families require more effort and understanding because of more people involved, and this often includes young ones who didn’t ask to be put into the situation to begin with.Long ago, the term “stepmother” … Read More
Everybody’s Different and it’s OK!
In today’s society we still put a strong emphasis on looking thin, being smart, and having more. By going along with these thoughts what are we teaching our kids? We need to be teaching our children that is is OK to be different. We want them to be healthy, not too thin not too chunky – but healthy. We need … Read More
Something to Ponder
This has been a round for a while, but it is definitely worth sharing. Please take time to read: SOMETHING TO PONDER: George Carlin George Carlin’s wife died early in 2008 and George followed her, dying in July 2008. An observation by George Carlin: The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter … Read More
Winter Storm – Be Prepared
For those of you getting ready for the winter storm, here are some tips to help. Make sure to stay indoors during the storm and if you must go outside, wear plenty of layers and cover your mouth to protect your lungs. Prepare your home and family Prepare for possible isolation in your home by having sufficient heating fuel; … Read More
Slow Down and Enjoy Life!
Read this recently and wanted to share: “A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that 1,100 people went through the station, most of them on … Read More