How are you feeling about your daughter today? Was today a good day? Was today one of those days when she woke up full of optimism and creative ideas? Maybe she was incredibly thoughtful and sensitive? Or maybe today was one of those days where she feels like the world is about to fall apart… it could be because of what you would consider a real problem, or maybe you are thinking to yourself right now- why does she not get this is NOT a big deal and by tomorrow it will all be over with. If she is having…
Enough with Creating Unrealistic and Unhealthy Expectations
Growing up in Israel, I had the opportunity to be involved in athletic classes from an early age – ballet, gymnastics, judo and swimming. Even today, there are not as many competitive leagues for kids and teens as there are here in the US. When I was younger, I would take every opportunity to participate in regional athletic competitions for my school. I mostly joined in because I loved it, but there was no real expectation that I win. When I did, everyone was happy, and if I did not, that was okay as well. Here in the US, the…
Family time- how to survive!
Last week I became an aunt again! My sister had a beautiful baby boy and I could not be more excited about the arrival of the newest addition to the family. But with all the excitement and celebration of his birth, it was also a very clear reminder to me that I live 5000 miles away from home. As I sat watching my new nephew enter in to a covenant with God at his bris, or as it called in English, circumcision ceremony, I watched my family and friends via Skype on my iPad. I am grateful for the technology…
What is going right?
I’ve recently been asking my clients a very potent question; what is going right in your relationship with your teen? I was standing at a New York bus stop this past week when a little girl looked up at me, very carefully examining my crutches and my boot. I smiled back at her and she said to me “you are so lucky”. I was not really sure what to do, so I laughed and said thank you- but can I ask you why? And her response was simple “You only hurt one leg, so you can still go wherever you…