I hear horror stories all the time about bad experiences with service providers such as plumbers, electricians, contractors, mechanics and the like. I find it hard to believe that there can be so many trades people out there who are … Continue reading
Category: Life’s a Beach!
Who are we to judge?
I received a surprising number of emails and letters regarding my column about when—and when not—to end a friendship. While most of you agreed that there’s almost endless potential for friendships out there, some accused me of being too ‘judgmental.’ … Continue reading
How to handle an obnoxious person
A reader from Ocean City writes, Dear Dr. Hurd, I always associate our annual condo meetings with the start of a great summer. This year, however, I have discovered that the new president of our association is’well, just plain obnoxious. … Continue reading
Is your college kid an adult?
For parents of college students, summer can be an opportunity to reconnect with the children who’ve been living away from home—many for the first time. Although it’s reasonable to expect it to be a happy experience, it can be full … Continue reading
Replace Labels with a Healthy Outlook
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love it when I hit a nerve. Apparently I stirred things up a bit with my article questioning the effectiveness of ‘multitasking.’ You know, the process by which one does … Continue reading
Twelve Steps to Less Stress
Life, like anything of value, isn’t free, and stress is part of the price we pay for living. But stress isn’t always unhealthy. It can be a signal that you’re accomplishing productive and important things—your career, raising kids, or enjoying … Continue reading
Do friendships last forever?
Many years ago I spoke to a woman who was thoroughly fed up with a friend of hers. She just didn’t enjoy being with him any longer. Though she had already decided to back away from him altogether, she still … Continue reading
Can multitasking work?
I don’t understand all the enthusiasm over multitasking. I know it’s supposed to be a good thing. Housewives and business people brag, ‘Look at me. I’m multitasking,’ implying, I guess, that that they’re accomplishing more than they could if they … Continue reading
Your “inner voice” could be wrong
People sometimes tell me that ‘Oprah’ and other popular ‘self-help’ shows leave them with the impression that their parents are to blame for a lot of their problems. Maybe so, maybe not—but daytime TV is not the ideal place to … Continue reading
Share your dollars with sense
I have spoken to so many people—married couples, families, even friends—who tell me they fight over money more than anything else. If you dig a little deeper, though, it’s clear that the fighting isn’t just about money. It’s more about … Continue reading
What you feel may not be real!
A Delaware Wave reader from Connecticut writes, Dear Dr. Hurd, My ‘new age’ friends are always telling me to ‘Go with my feelings and say what I feel.’ But is it advisable to just blurt out whatever happens to pop … Continue reading
You can learn to be helpless
I received a number of responses to my article about how some aging parents can become manipulative; appearing to be more ‘helpless’ than they actually are. Everyone agreed with my point, but some of you questioned how to verbally approach … Continue reading