In response to a natural disaster or tragedy, sometimes a news reporter (usually desperate for something to say) will ask a survivor if they feel “survivor’s guilt.” Following the bridge collapse in Minneapolis last year, a person who made it … Continue reading →

I love movies. Some of the best times I had as a kid were spent in the movie theater, escaping into the realm of fantasy. Professional filmmakers refer to that feeling of ‘escape,’ created by the seamless blend of picture … Continue reading →

  A Delaware Wave reader writes,  Dear Dr. Hurd, Our vacation home in Bethany Beach would not be complete without a copy of The Delaware Wave opened to your column! I appreciate your advice and insight. We live in a … Continue reading →

When I hear someone say they hope they’re “normal,” I cringe—but not for the reasons you might expect. The people who typically object to the word “normal” are those who see everything subjectively, meaning that everything’s ‘all about them.’ ‘What’s … Continue reading →

  A Delaware Wave reader in Ocean City writes,  Dear Dr. Hurd,  My mother is 88 years old, lives alone, doesn’t drive, and is in pretty good health. Since she moved here, she has become very manipulative. She exaggerates her … Continue reading →

  Is it a sign of true friendship to ignore a friend’s flaws? Not necessarily. If someone is your friend (and, therefore, important to you), doesn’t it make sense to try and stop her from making a mistake? You can’t … Continue reading →

Old habits are hard to break. Especially when singles are looking to become couples. I have a friend who has been single for years. She is attractive, popular and in her prime. In spite of her independence and the success … Continue reading →

In these days of political squabbles where everybody seems to have an opinion, the saying, ‘Let’s just agree to disagree’ appears to be a reasonable statement. But when asked to ‘agree to disagree,’ a person can end up feeling like … Continue reading →

Couples therapy can be stressful for everyone involved. One of the questions that parents often ask me is whether it is right or wrong to stay together solely for the sake of the children. Their premise, of course, is that … Continue reading →

During counseling sessions, people sometimes say that they expected me to yell at them. Do I look THAT mean in the picture on this page? That notwithstanding, I wonder what would give rise to such an expectation, other than the … Continue reading →

Somehow, amid last week’s flurry of glitter, turkey sandwiches and stick-on bows, I still managed to get some interesting feedback on my article about giving lots of love and gifts to kids, while still requiring them to be responsible for … Continue reading →

As the dust settles in the aftermath of the gift-giving frenzy, a lot of parents might wonder if they’re spoiling their children. The typical reaction to the word ‘spoil’ is, ‘To give your child too much, or to do too … Continue reading →