Tag Archives: family life
Talking to Children about Separation and Divorce
One of the most difficult life experiences for a child is having their parents separate or divorce. Most children want their parents to stay married. And that is true even if the marriage has been unhappy. Divorce is extremely difficult … Continue reading
Parenting Through Separation and Divorce
One of the most difficult times to parent is when one is experiencing a breakup of the parental relationship. Parenting requires such physical and emotional energy and when a parent is depleted of both, due to their own emotional turmoil, grief, … Continue reading
Summertime Conversations
Here in Charlotte we’re now about a month into summer. Perhaps it’s time to think about how you are using the extra time and freedom from strict school, work, and sports schedules. During the school year parents are usually very focused … Continue reading
To All the Dads…
Happy Father’s Day!
The Parenting Toolbox
Do you ever wish that you had a toolbox that you could reach into and find just the right tool to handle a particular issue as a parent? Most of us have wished kids came with a set of instructions. … Continue reading
Happiness, Part 2
Last post I mentioned that we all have an individual natural set point for happiness. That set point, determined by our genes, determines about 50% of our happiness levels. Our circumstances account for only about another 10%. (People generally overestimate … Continue reading
7 Steps Toward Becoming a Fabulous StepParent
In my last post I shared some thoughts on the important role of stepparents. Today I’m adding these specific steps toward becoming a fabulous stepparent! I’m sure there are more, but this is a good start: 1. Respect the role … Continue reading
Thoughts on Blending Families
Last month Jada Pinkett Smith, the wife of Will Smith, created a bit of a stir on Facebook when she posted her thoughts on what it took to happily blend families. This is what she wrote: A letter to a … Continue reading
Where have all the parents gone?
Occasionally I get on a soapbox. Most often it is about one of two topics, either fathers that have jumped ship all together or parents who allow their kids to run the family. The latter is on my mind today, … Continue reading
Gretchen Derda (Woosley), MSW, LCSW 
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