Siblings by Birth, Friends by Choice
By Jamie IveySomeone once told me that your longest relationship on earth is with your sibling. This might not be true for every situation, but for the most part, the person who will be in your life...
View ArticleBayer
I heard a new Bayer aspirin commercial the other day. It said,“You always took care of your children. Now it’s time to take care of yourself.” The woman in the ad was like me, a member of the boomer...
View ArticleAdult Sons
A recent comment on our blog came from Elaine, who wrote to say:Right now the “when-then” in my life is “when our oldest son decides to include us in his life again, then I will be happy.”She wrote...
View ArticleThe Prayer Knot
Whether you are sending your child off to kindergarten or to college, the adjustment is a hard one. It is a reminder that they are growing up and that they are in the process of moving on. When we are...
View ArticleTake a Break, Mother Bear
From the moment I held Eldest in my arms, I didn’t want to let go. My sister referred to me as a baby hog. When other people held my baby, I watched them like a Rottweiler on guard duty.It’s been...
View ArticleHandling the Holidays During Loss or Grief
October through December can be an excruciating time of year for those who have experienced a loss. In addition to the death of a loved one, divorce, illness, family trauma, job loss, a wayward child,...
View ArticleSeeing Life in Terms of Seasons
One month when our five children were all small, we had three cases of chicken pox, two ear infections, one case of bronchitis, and three cases of the flu. My son John exclaimed, “Mommy, in your day...
View ArticleFree Protection for Your Children From All Devices
We are a family of many kids. Some grown and out of the nest, some in high school in the midst of cyberville, one in middle school, and even one beginning grade school. My husband and I love kids and...
View ArticleMother-in-Law Sagas
I love to tease my mother-in-law Darlyne because the first time my husband John saw me we were at church. I was the 16-year-old cutie sitting in the back row. He was the 20-year-old Marine who was on...
View ArticleWedding Season Worry
Wedding season has arrived! I just read in a community magazine that, ages and ages ago, June became the traditional month for weddings because people took their annual (as in once per year!) bath in...
View ArticleResolving Stepfamily Conflict
Recently during a life coaching session I encountered a stepmom who had a track record of acting negatively toward her adult stepson and his wife. They perceived her as harsh, critical and...
View Article15 Steps to Take When You Feel Offended
1. Examine your heart. Be sure you are not going to the offender in anger, with an attitude of setting them straight. The goal must be to bring reconciliation, not revenge.2. Assume the best. (…or...
View ArticleNobody is Exempt
One of my greatest desires is to have a close relationship with my children. Although our relationship is far from perfect, I am thankful that they at least know that they can tell me anything. Much of...
View ArticleBeing Normal
I received a note from a good friend who is reading the book Susan Yates and I wrote, Barbara and Susan’s Guide to the Empty Nest. She wrote,“Read more of the book last night and am so glad I did. I...
View ArticleGetting Your Child Ready To Leave
It is that time of year when many of us have a child leaving. Our child may be getting on the school bus for the very first time, starting a new school, leaving for college or a gap year, or perhaps...
View ArticleDe-stressing the Holidays
I’m going to say something radical:Thanksgiving is not about the food.Yes, Thanksgiving is a feast. It’s a time to be thankful for the year’s bounty, and we celebrate that with food. But that is not...
View ArticleHolidays with Parents and In-laws: Let It Be Good
You’re into preparation mode-shopping, cooking, invitations, fundraisers, junk mail, Christmas cards, special parties. And this is above and beyond the regular stuff on your plate–sports teams,...
View ArticleHow Is Your Foundation?
The other day while waging war against the weeds in my yard, I noticed the dirt was pretty low next to the driveway. In fact, there seemed to be a gap under the driveway, right up against the house. I...
View ArticleDid It Work?
The years after I graduated from high school were characterized by confusion, insecurity, and lack of direction. I often had a feeling of hopelessness, and the adults in my life really didn’t know...
View ArticleHe Made an A!
I know there are many women out there who wrestle every evening when homework time rolls around. To have a child who struggles with school work is like another full time job. It drains you! It keeps...
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