A recent study found that watching and discussing the relationship interactions in romantic movies during the first three years of marriage cuts the risk of divorce by half. This study from the University of Rochester was recently published in the Journal of Clinical and Consulting Psychology. Researchers had couples watch a romantic movie once a week [...]
Issues of discipline in blended families can be complicated. Reaching a point where parents can instill discipline consistently and comfortably to all of the children in the family is not an easy or immediate process. So, how do you get there?Bond with your stepchild(ren). Discipline works best when there is a foundation of trust. Spend [...]
About 75% of people who divorce eventually remarry. One outcome in many remarriages is the creation of a blended family. Research on blended families indicates that it can take two to five years for a blended family to feel like a family unit.If you are creating a blended family, here are some tips to help [...]
A recent study from the University of Virginia explored the concept of “mind wandering.” I found one of their findings to be “shocking” to say the least: 2/3 of the men surveyed and 1/4 of the women said that they would prefer to receive a small electrical shock to being alone with their thoughts. One theory [...]
Most parents recognize that their children are unique. Every kid has a different personality, temperament and needs. No understands that better than a parent. However, when parents get a divorce, important decisions around children are often made by the court. The court does not recognize the individuality of a child. It treats all kids as [...]
The theory of post-traumatic growth is receiving a lot of attention lately. Its premise is that individuals can do more than cope and move past trauma, crisis or adversity, but that these challenging experiences can actually provide a catalyst for positive personal growth and finding new meaning in one’s life. To be clear, post-traumatic growth [...]
The theory of post-traumatic growth is receiving a lot of attention lately. Its premise is that individuals can do more than cope and move past trauma, crisis or adversity, but that these challenging experiences can actually provide a catalyst for positive personal growth and finding new meaning in one’s life. To be clear, post-traumatic growth [...]
While attending the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts conference in Toronto last week, I had the opportunity to see the movie Split. Directed by Ellen Bruno, Split is a 30-minute documentary that features real kids between the ages of 6 and 12 talking about they experienced their parents’ divorce.The voice and perspective of kids [...]
In my practice, I see couples for therapy and Collaborative Divorce coaching. Often, there is not much difference in the level of unhappiness. On average, most couples wait six years after the onset of problems before they seek counseling. Waiting this long allows goodwill to erode and bad feelings to grow.In a perfect world, I [...]
After the pain of divorce, most people want to heal and find new, healthier relationships. However, while many people are successful in achieving this objective, others find themselves falling into the same type of unhealthy relationship they left—just with a different partner. Here’s how you can avoid that trap:Recognize your role in the breakdown of [...]
