Rejection feels bad, so much that some individuals live their entire lives avoiding others’ disapproval. Some people are very good at this though most individuals only have modest success—triumph in this area usually comes at the expense of their own needs and desires. Still, if you’ve spent your life as the “Golden Child”, the good […]
Challenges abound when one partner in a relationship has more power than the other. This can be earning-power, celebrity-power, ethnicity-power or citizenship-power. Whatever gives one the upper hand. It may sound good to say that healthy relationships require equality, but our worst characteristics come out in the conflicts closest to our hearts. We fight the […]
The holidays are gift time and this can be really tricky for couples. From the newspaper that comes heavy with sale circulars to television commercials that show beautiful people responding with beautiful emotions to very pricey items, the holidays can be a time we try to buy love. This doesn’t mean that you don’t really […]
Everyone moans about the rush of the season and about having too much to do at this time of year, but buying gifts can be fun. Credit card bills in January can be staggering, and you know this. After all, you’ve lived through a few Januarys by this time. But buying—especially for your kids—can be […]
If you have more than one kid, you’ve probably worried about being fair as a parent. Having a parent who plays favorites can color a child’s early life. Ask any adult you know who their parents’ favorite kid was. They usually know and it still bugs them. Kids and equality of parental love can be […]
Friends add comfort and warmth to life, not to mention fun, but at Christmas time, the gift issue can be stressful. Having someone who you like to hang out with, just makes everything better, but do you buy them a gift? If so, what? How much do you spend? What if you have more disposable […]
He should know better. Even if he misses your clues that you’ve been hankering after a diamond “journey” necklace, a special perfume or that hot car, he still has to know that you’re not going to be thrilled with a new rifle/washing machine/elasticized polyester pants. If you’re an avid hunter, the rifle may thrill you. […]
This is really tough to do and, ironically, you may find yourself having to defend the choice to stay. Your friends and relatives will tell you to just end the marriage. But you love him…or you have a history and/or kids together. Maybe you secretly think this is all your fault. I’m going to have […]
Just ask the kids in a family—they know which is their parents’ favorite. Most of the time, it’s probably no big deal. At least, not now. You’ve had a while to get used to it and you’re an adult, after all. But this can make the holidays complicated and leave you exhausted after time spent […]
Do you only break-up with one lover when you have someone else in the wings? Only when there’s another good possibility cooking? Being alone can be scary. Of course, when you’re in a relationship that really isn’t working, the thought of being alone is great. You daydream about what it would be like to come […]