I was at a workshop and my mentor left us with this question. "What are you tolerating in your life?" The first thing I thought was, I've heard this before. (Like, if I heard it before then I wouldn't have to pay attention to the question.) Then...
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Yes, teen girls can be drama queens, but mom's can be drama mamas. "What are you talking about? It's my daughter's fault. She is rude, disrespectful, and defiant." I know it's easy to focus on your daughter's behavior, but it's easy for mom's to join the...
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Are you tired of the same old story? What does this mean? It means you are tired of having your life repeat the same 'story' over and over again. You feel trapped in a story you don't even want. It feels like everyone else is in...
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This week I have talked to several confused and distraught mothers. Though each situation was different they had one common denominator. These mothers dismissed their intuition and trusted others opinions over their own. Because of this, things weren't going well with their families. These...
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Sometimes the answer is no. It has to be, if you are going to protect your daughter. 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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"We get along great on vacations!" I can't tell you how many times I have heard this in my private practice. Why is it, that families (and couples) who fight all the time at home, can enjoy each other on vacations? The answer is STRESS. The Conspiracy of...
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Defining success is a tricky, especially when it comes to your teenager. If I asked you if your daughter or son was successful what would you say? Would your daughter say she is successful? These are uncomfortable questions for both you and your daughter. Here's why. This culture defines...
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I have read over 25 parenting books for teens in the past couple of years in preparation for writing my book. For a while it felt like, I'd get a package from Amazon every week. My daughter was always disappointed to see another parenting book....
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I hear this all the time...
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I am taking an online defensive driving course. I could say I am taking the course because I wanted to lower my car insurance, which is partially true. But the truth is, I was speeding and got a ticket. There you have it. The secret...
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We call it multi-tasking. Women pride themselves for being able to do a million things at once. Here's my question. How's it working for you? I remember hearing a speaker say that meditation is doing one thing at a time. For mothers this seems like a luxury. It's not...
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Has your computer ever been attacked by viruses and spyware? It can drive you nuts. Your computer starts going real slow and it feels like you are waiting forever for your email to download. And the longer the virus and spyware runs, the more it...
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Have you recovered from the Holidays and the first week back to school? I wouldn’t be surprised if you are All Mothered Out. You know if you are All Mothered Out because… You have no patience, especially with your kids. You feel like you are going to implode...
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Have you ever complained, "My husband won't stop and ask for directions." (or check his GPS) Then you go on to say, "We wasted the afternoon driving all over town. If we had stopped--it would have taken us 5 minutes and we'd been there on...
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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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