While divorce is never easy for a family to cope with, recognizing the effects on your children is an important step to recovery. Boys and girls typically have very different reactions and coping methods after divorce. Daughters, in particular, may experience anxiety, stress and even emotional turmoil as a result of her parents' split. From academic challenges to emotional adjustments, divorce is likely to affect your daughter in a variety of ways. “The reactions daughters have to the divorce of their parents can run the board, depending on factors as varied as the nature of and reasons for the divorce to the personality and age of the daughter herself,” says Dr. John Duffy, a Chicago-based psychotherapist and author of “The Available Parent.”
Category: Newspaper Writing
Back to School: Classes for Adults
You’ve decided to take the plunge and head back to school. Although this journey may seem a bit overwhelming at first, the good news is that you are probably more prepared than you think. “When adults return to college, they bring with them wisdom, experience, maturity, skills and knowledge that informs and enhances their educational experience,” says Karen Stevens, chief academic advisor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. With some research, planning and evaluation of your career goals, you will be ready for the first day back to school.
Teaching Kids Boundaries With Peers
Watching your child play with her peers can be an eye-opening experience. Is she sharing with others? Respecting her peers’ boundaries? “Being able to keep good boundaries with peers is essential for developing healthy self-esteem and friendships,” says Raquel Lefebvre, Vermont-based licensed psychologist. Help your child foster healthy friendships by teaching her about appropriate boundaries with role playing and activities that will enrich her understanding of herself and her peers.
Teaching Children to Learn From Failure
Ever wonder why some children throw in the towel as soon as things get tough while others get right back on the horse and try again? The fear of failure can stifle one child’s progress while motivating another. “Failure is an opportunity for a child to build their resilience muscles,” says Ingrid Kellaghan, founder of Cambridge Nanny Group in Chicago. Learning to deal with failure, rejection and challenging situations shapes a child’s personality and opportunity for growth. As his parent, you have the power to teach him how to get back on the horse and continue to ride along on this important journey.
Teaching Children About Being Considerate
It’s tempting to scold your child for forgetting to say please or thank you, but many parents don’t realize that their children may not have learned considerate behaviors yet. If not, it’s time to give them the opportunity to show off their sweet and caring sides to family and friends. “Providing opportunities for children to learn considerate play are integral to kids learning these behaviors,” says Melody Brooke, family therapist in Richardson, Texas. By modeling considerate behavior and showing your child how to empathize with others, you will be molding his character for the future.
Teaching Children to be Good Listeners
Your little chatty Cathy probably shares every detail about her day with you on a regular basis. She talks about her friends, her toys, her wishes and her wants with excitement and enthusiasm. However, once the chatter stops, does she really listen to you and others? “Developing the ability to listen allows a child to learn not to see only their perspective on things, and to be open to connecting to others on a more intimate level,” says Melody Brooke, a family therapist in Richardson, Texas. Before children can really connect with others, it’s important that they are taught the skills to be good listeners – at home, at school and in social settings.
Teaching Kids About Feelings
It’s natural for your child to act out when she doesn't quite understand what she's feeling. Her thoughts and feelings naturally contribute to her behavior -- so teaching your child about her thoughts, feelings and behavior is key to her development and self-awareness.
What Are Buyers Looking For?
The biggest challenge facing home sellers is how to meet the needs and wants of buyers without breaking the bank. “It’s a beauty contest and a price war,” says Jackie Voit, a Milwaukee-based real estate agent with Shorewest Realtors. “Buyers will continue looking until they find the best one, and it has to be better than the competition in both price and condition.”
10 Home Improvements Sellers Can Skip
It’s easy for home sellers to spend a pretty penny trying improve their home's appeal. But not all home improvements increase the market value.“Over-improving your home in comparison to other homes in the neighborhood is never a good idea and could just mean money down the drain,” says Jackie Voit, Milwaukee-based real estate agent with Shorewest Realtors. Before you make improvements, consider the costs and potential impact on your home's value.
Best Bang for Your Buck at Bulk Stores
Shopping at bulk stores like Sam's Club and Costco can save you a lot of money. But to really save big, you have to know how to navigate these stores smartly.
Shannon Philpott-Sanders 