Couples therapy can be stressful for everyone involved. One of the questions that parents often ask me is whether it’s right or wrong to stay together solely for the sake of the children. Their premise is that their primary obligation … Continue reading
Category: Life’s a Beach!
Can You Learn to be Helpless?
I’ve written in the past about how some aging parents can become manipulative; appearing to be more “helpless” than they actually are. Interestingly, reader responses to those articles were 100% in agreement. But many questioned how they could verbally approach … Continue reading
When Sleep Eludes You …
Most of us remember the childhood thrill of going on vacation. The preparation, counting the days — and the getting up at 3 or 4 in the morning to leave. Through the fog of fitful backseat dozing, I remember dragging … Continue reading
Can Money and Friends Peacefully Coexist?
My experience has shown over and over that it’s never a good idea to mix business with friendship. It may sound good on paper to go into business with, or to employ (or be employed by) your friend, but those … Continue reading
Living Within Your Means Does NOT Rule Out Happiness
The holidays are just around the corner, and soon people will be asking me about greed and why the season is so “materialistic.” My answer is often met with varying levels of acceptance. In other words, I don’t believe there’s … Continue reading
The Difference Between an Excuse and a Reason
I have a friend who, when confronted about something he did wrong, will often end his explanation with, “Well, it’s not an excuse, but it IS a reason.” Though it always gets a chuckle, the expression doesn’t really resolve anything. … Continue reading
You Actually CAN Control Your Feelings
A Delaware Wave reader emails that insignificant things often annoy her. She writes that she was upset in a restaurant recently because a child was making some noise. She admits that the kid was just being a kid, and that … Continue reading
Control Is Not Love!
TV sitcoms and movies are full of amusing portrayals of controlling mothers. Interestingly, most of the people who ask me serious questions on this subject are, in fact, mothers themselves, and they’re usually referring to experiences with their own mothers. … Continue reading
Sad with SAD
It’s natural to love the warm weather and sunshine. But now as things quiet down in the fall and winter, I encounter clients who feel depressed and gloomy as the days become shorter and darker. This is often an indication … Continue reading
Can Cynicism be a Good Thing?
Today’s culture of bad news and scandal has generated lots of letters and emails from readers. Basically, they ask me how they can keep from being cynical, but at the same time not be naïve in the face of negativity … Continue reading
Why Opinions of Others About You Are Almost Meaningless
Labor Day is past, and our resort suddenly turns back into a small town. And I will start hearing one of the most common off-season complaints: “Everybody knows your business.” Though it’s a widespread feeling, it’s not entirely accurate. Nobody … Continue reading
Coping with Elderly Parents
I see so many people in my office who spend more years caring for their elderly parents than they spent raising their own children. This is becoming more and more commonplace as advances in medical science continue to extend the … Continue reading