It is supposed to be the most Wonderful Time of the Year. Our expectations are super high. It is definitely the busiest time of the year. When you combine super high expectations with exhaustion you are set up for disappointment. So create a new tradition. Be Kind to...
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Part 1 Early October I thought, "It's not even Halloween. Why is there Christmas decorations up at the shopping center near my house? This did not give me a happy feeling. I felt this oh no feeling. The holiday season is already here. This sounds very...
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Lights are twinkling in our neighborhoods and holiday music is playing everywhere. The holiday season is here. I was reminded of one of my favorite Christmas songs when I was little, "All I want for my Christmas is my two front teeth...
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"I am going to have a good relationship with my daughter this year." "This year I am going to get in shape and lose 20 pounds." "I am going to finish my book this year." "This year things are going to change with my husband." "I am going to...
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"We don't want perfect moms. My mom was the perfect child and she expects me to be perfect. She doesn't bend. It has to be her way. As hard as I try to please her, I feel unworthy." Jenny said this last week in our...
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Get prepared for the Holidays. The shopping malls have been ready since October with decorations of shiny tinsel, red bows, gigantic wreaths, and white lights. In a blink of an eye Thanksgiving will be here and then the busy the season hits. If you are not...
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Shelly is an active mom and has one daughter in middle school. Shelly came to my office extremely upset. She had just gotten her phone bill. Her 7th grade daughter had sent three thousand texts in the past month and most of them were from...
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You want the best for your daughter. You want her in the best school, taking the best classes. You want her involved and developing her abilities and skills. You want her to be challenged and all this is important for her brain development. But there is...
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My family loves to tell stories. One of these stories is about my sister when she was 13. My dad, sister and I were down at Memorial Park in Houston. We had hiked down to Buffalo Bayou. Its brown and murky and God knows what...
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Sometimes the answer is no. It has to be, if we are going to protect our daughters. This is not the fun part of being a parent. There she is standing in front of you in her mature grown up body. She tells you, she can handle...
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The easiest way to connect with your daughter is by sharing a positive experience, where you both enjoy each other. Sharing a frivolous fun experience, even if it's playing with your dog for 30 minutes, is just plain healthy. Fun is not optional. It benefits you...
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"My daughter won't talk to me." I hear this from many of my moms. Yes it is challenging at times. But there is a way your daughter will talk to you but you may need to change your approach. It's important to evaluate 'how" you try to...
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When was the last time you had that "I Feel Good" energy? The kind of energy where you crank the music up in your car and pretend you're James Browns singing, "I feeeeeeeel good." Have you done any happy dances lately? Do you wake...
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Your daughter is going to push you. Just when you feel you have worked through one issue another one rolls in. This is where it is super important that you are crystal clear about your decisions, boundaries and guidelines for your daughter. Your clarity is so...
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Do you evaluate if you're "getting it right" as a parent, by how well your daughter's performing? This feels logical. You think, "If my daughter is behaving and performing well, then I am doing great, but if not, I must be failing." Here is the problem...
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What would you like to be different this year? This is a very important question to think about. You really can strategize and set a new tone for the year. If you don't have a plan you are going to default into the same old struggles...
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The streets were bustling this morning. Mothers and fathers were holding hands with their little ones as they walked to the neighborhood elementary school. The cross guards were busy directing traffic, while parents, children and dogs cross the street. It is the first day of school. My...
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Mothers have an amazing skill. Since your daughter was a baby you have learned how to tune in to her every look, movement and sound she's ever made. By the time your daughter is a teenager, your 'tuning in' skill is highly developed. Now, it...
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Last week Sara came to see me in my private practice. Sara had that spaced out, frazzled look. She said, "I want my life back. I am SOOOOOO ready for school to start." Sara is definitely not alone. This is the time of year mothers are...
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I have a few questions for you. 1. When you go grocery shopping do you tend to go to the same grocery store and buy the same grocery items? 2. Do you drive the same route to work every morning? 3. Do you eat the same thing for...
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