A mom often spends her days tripping over action figures, soothing her infant's emerging teeth and defusing the tantrums of a toddler. Exhaustion sets in, and, with a little luck, she may get a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. to bless her tired bones. The fast-paced life of a mother can run down even the most fit and healthy mom if she doesn't make time for herself. Ramani Durvasula, a Los Angeles-based family therapist and mother, notes that mothering has turned into a competitive sport in our society. The result is burnout and "suboptimal" mothering.
Blog/Sample Work
‘You’re Fired:’ Is it Worth Burning Bridges?
I was raised to work and work hard. Maybe it was because I watched my mother struggle to raise three girls by working multiple jobs or maybe it was because I liked the intrinsic rewards tied to a job well done. I work hard, I expect others to work hard and I believe that a… Continue reading ‘You’re Fired:’ Is it Worth Burning Bridges?
Nice to Meet Me
My name is Shannon and I like to run, sing, and dance around by myself. I truly like cutting the grass with the sun shining on my shoulders. I like to listen to music – any music – that makes me want to dance and I like to people watch and daydream. It’s nice to meet me. I’ve always known ‘things’ about myself – I’m a mom, a partner, a teacher, an adviser, a friend, a colleague, a sister, a daughter and a neighbor – but I've always felt a little lost consumed by all of these roles. I wasn’t sure who I truly was and what I liked. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Preparing for a Proposal
Preparing for a Proposal Get Ready, Get Set, Propose? Article Excerpt: Before Susanne Alexander said "I do," she thought a lot about what she would do as a wife. But she didn't do it alone. She and her future husband evaluated their health, finances and family plans together to ensure they could successfully pull off a long-term marriage commitment. It took planning to get it right. "We began as friends, built a romantic relationship, prayed together and talked through many topics together along the way," said Alexander, a relationship coach and author of "All-In-One Marriage Prep." "We spent time writing down what we wanted a marriage to look like to ensure we had similar visions," she said. And then, he proposed. Couples often envision living happily ever after once one or the other pops the question, but in reality, planning and evaluating your compatibility and emotional readiness for marriage is crucial before the proposal. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Finding the Perfect Mix for a Blended Family
Published April 2011: eHow Family & Relationships Finding the Perfect Mix for a Blended Family How to Achieve Harmony While Embracing Differences Article Excerpt: When Cherie and Steve Miller married 10 years ago, they knew it would be a challenge merging their existing families. Cherie had three sons, ages 12, 18 and 20, and Steve… Continue reading Finding the Perfect Mix for a Blended Family
I See You: Taking Risks Online
I’m not one to lecture and I hate being lectured to, but when it comes to talking to my students about establishing an online presence, I turn on my ‘lecture’ voice. “Be proud of what you produce because it is permanent.” In the past 5 years, I have uttered these words more times than I… Continue reading I See You: Taking Risks Online
The Hidden Veggie
The Hidden Veggie Stocking Up On a Healthy Lifestyle Article Excerpt: When her children were young, Antoinette Kuritz made sure they ate their veggies. In fact, she made sure they grew them, too. "We planted a huge garden, and they each had their own colander," said Kuritz, a California-based public relations specialist. "For each meal, they went outside and picked the veggie they wanted, picked how much they were prepared to eat, washed and drained it, and put it on their plates." For the Kuritz family, vegetables were a natural part of mealtime. However, in many households today, the closest thing to a veggie is a French fry. Adding much-needed nutrients to your kids' meals may be a challenge when high sugar, salt and fatty foods are conveniently within reach, but it's a necessity for maintaining their health. Before you'll have any success, though, you'll have to get to the root of the veggie stigma as a family.
Your Turn: Games to Foster Better Sibling Relationships
Your Turn: Games to Foster Better Sibling Relationships Create a Winning Match Through Play Article Excerpt: A squabble over toys or a disagreement about house rules may seem pretty typical between a brother and sister. However, when the arguing escalates and disrupts home life for the entire family, it may indicate that sibling rivalry is rearing its ugly head. According to New York-based Jane Greer, Ed.D., a nationally known marriage and family therapist and author of "What About Me? Stop Selfishness from Ruining Your Relationship," when children aren't taught to share, it results in severe sibling rivalry. Read the rest of the story at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Putting a Pet to Rest
Article Excerpt: When Jodi Caroland's daughter was 3, she yelped out a blood-curdling cry in the middle of the night. Caroland, a licensed professional counselor in Troy, Michigan, rushed to her daughter's bedside and found her hysterically crying over Smimmy, her goldfish, who was floating at the top of his bowl. Understanding Grief The loss of human life is often viewed as more traumatic than the loss of a pet. However, the loss of a pet can be just as devastating for its owners. "There is a difference in how other people perceive this loss, in particular those who do not understand the human-animal bond, and that may be difficult for the family who lost a pet," said Linda Lawrence, clinical instructor and veterinary social work services coordinator at Michigan State University in Lansing. Read the rest of the story at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Trust Me … I have a Plan
If you asked my family whether or not they viewed me as a planner, I can guarantee that the answer would be no, maybe even Hell No. This stems partially because I never seem prepared. I’m that mom in the carpool line digging through my purse fishing for quarters to pass out lunch money to my kids. I’m the driver scrolling through my GPS searching for directions on the way to my destination. And even worse, I’m one of those last minute appointment makers and birthday gift buyers (typically on the way to the party). The reality is, though, that I am a mental planner. My ADD-ish brain is constantly in planning mode. I’m brainstorming ideas for activities to entertain my kids, I’m sorting out an outline for my next freelance story and I’m planning out the beginnings of course activities that come together at the last minute. I’m planning newspaper pubdates, ad rates and AP quizzes more often than I care to admit. My brain is a planner – neatly writing out my life’s plan on its internal sketch pad. My actions may not always reflect the creative intentions my brain has planned, though. Unfortunately for me, the exterior does not always model the interior. But trust me, I have a plan. Share Shannon Philpott Blog Entry: March 18, 2011 © Shannon Philpott, 2011. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Shannon Philpott and shannonphilpott.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Shannon Philpott-Sanders 