The holidays are a time where most families come together to celebrate the end of the year with various feasts and the exchanging of gifts. However, some people aren’t fortunate enough to have the good times and cheery days that…
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If this is what it takes The day my dad died was the happiest day of my life: This is what I had always pictured myself saying to my kids if they were to ask me about my father, their…
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In our home we have a few Christmas holiday traditions that we share together. Some traditions we brought into our marriage from our growing up years. There is even a new one that we started with our children so that perhaps…
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The holiday time is regarded by all as a period of joyous moments, fondness, harmony and family togetherness. Nevertheless, with the anxiety and apprehensions of the Christmas holiday season, it’s not shocking to experience family meltdowns because even the closest…
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The holiday season is a time for celebration and good cheer. However, a busy schedule packed with many different activities can be a little overwhelming for some. All the added excitement leaves little time for rest, which can lead to…
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Dear Dr. Philippa, I’ve almost completed my Master’s degree in music, and I’ve been awarded a fellowship in Saltzburg, Germany. This should be the happiest time of my life, but I’m crying myself to sleep every night. I’ve wanted to…
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Is Blood Thicker Than Water? Yes, blood is thicker than water. There are family members who ridicule you and leave you to feel that you are less than a person. The strong-willed, strong-minded person will continue to love those family…
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While I’m sure many of us long for the type of Holiday season as depicted in the works of Norman Rockwell and the like, the fact is, today’s family unit, in most cases, just does not support the desire. In…
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My daughter walked into our house the other evening to pick up the grandbaby. Upon seeing my efforts on decorating our Christmas tree, she pointed out that it “looked kind of bare”. The next day my husband came home bearing…
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Retirement is often touted as “The golden years,” but many who have reached that pinnacle might refute that glowing description. Retirement presents many challenges and concerns surrounding finances, health and the question, “Now, what do I do with the rest…
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So the unthinkable has happened; you’re moving back in with Mom and Dad. Your Lexus-after-graduation dream has evaporated, and your student loan is so high that moving back home is your only alternative for paying it off in this life….
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Family life can be extremely disturbing. When a child is the focus of the family unit’s negativity and shadow personality, that individual ends up disturbed and emotionally crippled. Blame is such an easy way to relieve oneself of guilt and…
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Inside of the house or out, it doesn’t take a lot of money to find something that everyone in the family will like to do in the winter. There are inexpensive and fun activities that families can enjoy, even in…
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Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the answer to that question is yes? And in some family situations, the passion of the color red representing blood is undaunted and cannot be challenges by the world. Until recently, I believed that blood is…
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Conflict is an inevitable element of any form of relationship. it is the manner in which the crisis is handled that will determine the quality of the relationship. Misunderstanding in a family setting is quite intense because so much emotion…
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As parents our job is to raise people who are able to go out into the world and be productive humans. Hopefully, happy ones, too. It’s our job to prepare them for all aspects of life – work, friendship, following…
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 Being a parent is an act of taking care of one’s kid or kids. A parent doesn’t have to necessarily be a biological father or mother but one could be a step father or mother. The act of parenting is…
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Receiving guests in your home is always an honor, but when you suddenly hear the doorbell ring and have unexpected guests it’s easy to panic. With these tips you’ll be ready no matter how much notice you get. The Holidays…
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At the first sign of snow children all over the country are anxiously awaiting a snow day. The day where school is closed and they get to play outside in the snow or stay in and warm with their families….
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There is nothing like a loving family. However, family members who will not mean you any good or may not even give a care in the world about you and their attitude towards you can be very negative. This in return…
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Trust is important for any relationship, but this is especially true of parent-child relationships. As a parent, you’re supposed to set an example for your children so that they know how to behave appropriately. Nobody is perfect and so there…
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As a child, I loved waking up to a blanket of white, then running to sit in front of the television to watch for school cancellations.  A few decades later, I still enjoy an occasional day at home because of…
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 Snowed In For Fun  “Snow day.” You longed to hear that phrase as a kid, but what about as an adult? And what about when a snow-day turns into “snow-days?” In some parts of the country, days off from school…
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Although people see the way children think as complex, it is actually very logical. They trust what they learn to be reliable. The complex part of trust is that it is emotional as well as physical. Trust isn’t just about…
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