Search Results for: blog bonds need to be stretched and tested

Bonds Need to be Stretched and Tested

If you love something, set it free…blah blah blah—we’ve all heard that saying a zillion times and I’m sure it has been applied to parenting at least half that many times. In reality, however, our bonds with our children are strengthened and encouraged when they are stretched and tested. Often it is the being apart and going out into the real world that makes kids feel even closer and more attached to their parents and families. I know that it seems like it should be just the opposite—that we should keep our children in close and maintain our influence over … Continue reading →

Does Your Family Pull Together or Fall Apart During Crisis?

One of the signs of a strong family is how the family unit reacts to stress, tension and crisis as a group. When something tough happens (a move, death, etc.) does your family come together or does everyone head off in their own directions? Of course, there is no such thing as a perfect family and we all do things differently. I have a friend who feels as though she came from an incredibly strong family and as she described it: “We hollered and yelled and said horrible things to each other but then we always apologized and came together … Continue reading →

Are You Happy with the Level of Connection?

What do you wish was going better with your child? I think as parents we often think that our kids go through phases and we just have to take things as they come. Often life gets in the way and we start to feel like we are losing our connection with our child or that we don’t really know or understand what is going on and we just have to live with it. We don’t! If there are areas in your relationship with your child that can stand improvement, you can identify them and make efforts to bring about some … Continue reading →

Parents–Try Something New for a Change in Perspective

Recently, my kids did a group intervention–according to them I have been in a purchasing rut–my grocery shopping and purchasing of items and supplies for our home has becomes so routinized and predictable that they felt they needed to encourage me to shake things up a little bit… They really do have a point–as a busy, stretched, single parent, I’ve found that familiarity is my friend. I do buy the same groceries–a lot of basics and staples–and forgo the extras. I am not the slightest bit trendy in my purchasing of shampoo or other necessities. I am also not likely … Continue reading →