I’ve heard a lot lately from empty nest moms who aren’t sure how to build healthy connections with their adult kids. Some complain that they don’t see enough of them and want to know how to encourage more family time. Others sheepishly confess that they’re happy to have some room to breathe but think maybe…
If there is one steady plot line in every family story, it’s this: just when you think you’ve got things figured out, everything changes. In fact, once we become parents, it seems like the changes just don’t stop. Babies become toddlers. Toddlers become teenagers. Teenagers become young adults who get married and start families of…
byJody Lee Cates
Marriage
Where we focus first in our relationships is inevitably what grows. If you’re focused on things that are going wrong, things that aren’t meeting your needs or expectations, you might find yourself more frequently sharing words of disappointment or criticism. Maybe the person you’re having trouble with seems to ask more regularly, “Why are you…
If you’re anything like me, you’re probably feeling inundated with all of the advice, comfort, encouragement, tough talk, pep talks, and other messages flooding your inbox this week. I struggled with writing this because I find when I’m feeling oversaturated, my friends usually are too. But at the risk of pouring water into an already…
When we talk about drawing a line with someone, it usually holds some negative meaning. Someone has pushed us too far or asked too much of us. We think drawing a line will protect us or keep them from taking advantage. But there are other lines we need to pay attention to in our relationships….
Keep showing up doesn’t sound like profound relationship advice. But it can mean the difference between relationships that thrive and those that don’t. It can be easy to think that the grand gestures in life are what best communicate our love for family and friends. Just try not to smile when you think about the…