Have you ever noticed how twins seem to always be close to each other? Not necessarily physically close to each other, but within their personalities. Well, that bond isn’t just found in the specific set of twins, it technically is found within…
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There are numerous road blocks to family history research in all countries and time periods that frustrate genealogists, but the research of Irish lineage seems to possess an inordinate amount of them. You don’t have to venture out too far…
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While you have no legal obligation to assist elderly parents with financial issues or any other problems they may encounter in their advancing years, your moral conscience might dictate the propriety of taking care of your family, including parents, should the need…
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You look at old pictures that your family has collected over the years. You want to make a meaningful family history for the following generations. How do you identify who is in these old pictures? It does take detective work…
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Adult siblings present complicated relationships on many levels. Much has been written about sibling rivalry, and the proliferation of Hallmark cards is a testament to the friendship and affection between siblings at the other end of the relationship spectrum. Is…
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Genealogy: there is nothing more exciting than to trace your ancestors. Whatever your reasons are to find your family members, there are several simple steps to help you along the way. Recording methods First, prepare whatever mode of record you…
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Wondering what leads to social awkwardness in those adolescent years? There are so many things that can lower confidence and self esteem in the vulnerable adolescent period; physical clumsiness, personality (whether extrovert or introvert), braces, glasses, acne, intelligence, weight and…
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Genealogists pounce on a marriage record with glee, and milk it for every ounce of information it can yield.  Not only does it offer a certain amount of reassurance, since children born within the confines of a marriage are more…
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There is no right or wrong time to decide on when to have another child. With each family it differs, and what works best for some may not for others. Knowing what is right for you and your situation can…
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A mid-life crisis is so named because it is a time in the life of a man or woman when he or she begins to ask serious questions about the course of life that has been chosen.  Stereotypes aside, such…
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During the height of the American immigration years, from 1892 to 1954 immigrants came to Ellis Island by the thousands; both the wealthy and the poor came mostly with just the clothes on their backs.  They sailed to America for different…
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So much depends on the attitude, mental status and physical condition of elderly parents. Which class do they fall into: highly functional and independent, functional with a few concerns, debilitated needing round the clock care? One spouse is usually healthier…
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Photographs can bring back so many memories and that is why it is very important for you to keep old family photos in good shape. These are treasured memories that can only be revived by looking at that old family…
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Times have changed so much as technology has advanced. Not so long ago, the only way people could connect with long distance loved ones was by phone calls. Today it is almost a foreign concept to hand write a letter…
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For many adult children, it is difficult to assume the responsibility of managing aging parent’s needs as their health deteriorates. It is even more difficult to arrive at the decision that it will require more than they can provide to…
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I became interested in my family genealogy several years ago and it has become a true addiction. One of my biggest frustrations, however, is the lack of information available from my grandparents. And as they were all dead when I…
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It is an undeniable fact that your elderly parents have left an indelible imprint on your life. They have devoted their time, their resources and their finances to get you where you are today. They have made innumerable sacrifices and…
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There’s a growing portion of the population which bears the dual responsibilities of caring for their children and their parents at the same time. A number are familiar with the balancing act of work and children, however these days, many people…
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It is not easy having a relative who is in prison. It can be upsetting, sorrowful and a humiliating experience. Joan Koss never thought she’d be in the position of knowing what it actually felt like to have a family…
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High divorce rates, remarriages, and children from previous unions where parents were not married, there are a number of blended families in today’s society. Blended families come in all different sizes and often feature different kinds of members. However, no…
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All the modern gadgets that fill the typical home sing the praises of their efficiency and improvements in everything from test scores, to time saving, to health, to success in business. But do all these claims hold up under the…
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Life is all about changes and transitions. Parents invest years in teaching their children and preparing them through many transitions. Savvy couples will use those same skills to prepare for the transition to an empty nest. They won’t be standing…
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The joining of two families can be both challenging and rewarding. When two families come together they can expect lots of changes and an adjustment period. As with any family, there will be problems to deal with as well as…
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Family meetings can be beneficial for everyone, and children who experience family meetings their entire life are much better prepared for life and what is ahead. It can not be just any family meeting, it has to be productive, respectful and…
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Blended families are the norm. With the divorce rate hovering around the 50-percent mark, children live in single parent homes, their grandparent’s home or a home with a stepparent. You would think since this is so normal, stepparents and their…
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The phrase “family dysfunction” is a well-worn descriptor used to label a cluster of common traits or behaviors that permeate and twist the dynamics of a family into a tangled web of unhealthy interactions. Although there is no perfect family and each has its examples…
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Although all children crave stability and security from their home life the average blended family requires about a year and a half to settle into a groove. This means that a newly blended family has at least a year of…
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One of the greatest things about living in this day and age are the opportunities for our children. There are a wide variety of sports teams, clubs, cultural events and options that they can take advantage of. There are school…
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Blended families are a reality of today’s society. Divorce statistics are high and only getting higher, therefore, the majority of families will break up and at some point, these families will usually blend with another and form a new household….
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For children that are entering into new ‘blended’ families, there is a new role to be taken on. The new role is that of stepchildren. They’ve never been that before, just as you may never have been a stepparent, but…
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