Beware - December is the Breakup Month Research tells us that the end of the year is the most common time couples separate. The reason this occurs is we may have tolerated our partner, their behaviour, family or friends and once the end of the year is upon us we reassess what the year has been like and often make a conscious decision to start the new year fresh. [...]
Ensuring we set a solid foundation for our marriage is vital. Many couples fail to discuss the many topics that will present as your life progresses. The worst thing to happen is to approach these things blind. When we don’t really know what our partner thinks or how they will respond, can often cause a situation that should be small to erupt into a major disaster. How can we prevent [...]
For most parents, breaking the news to their child that they are going to have a new baby sibling is a time of joy. And for some children, the idea that they will soon have a new baby sibling to play with fills them with excited anticipation. They love to wear their 'I'm going to be a big brother/sister' t-shirt with pride. by Jo Hartley But that's not the case [...]
Cool-headed, farseeing, visionary, courageous - whichever adjectives you choose, to be a great leader is a winning combination of personal traits and the ability to think and act as a great leader, a person who directs the activities of others for the good of all. Effective business leadership demands a captain of the ship, not just someone who's standing by the helm. A great leader is active, not passive. One [...]
Parenting an active child can be quite the challenge. Keeping up with them (particularly if you have another baby on the way), keeping them entertained and keeping your home in one piece all become daily battles. But above all, the biggest challenge, is dealing with the disapproving looks and comments from others. The thing about "spirited" children is that they don't stop: they are constantly whizzing about, on to the [...]
Losing friends after Baby arrives can affect many new mums? When we have a Baby we may sometimes lose connection with friends, this can occur when we have single friends whose lifestyle is not so compatible with ours anymore. It's common for friendships to change this way. While they may change for a while, when our friend re-enters our wold of babies, husband, family, it can all recommence and reinvent the [...]
A young girl's mind is her greatest asset, not her clothing not how pretty she is, not even how long and beautiful her hair is. When our friends, relatives or even the older lady in the supermarket comments, "Oh you're just so pretty!" do we question if that is an appropriate comment? Should we continue to compliment our little girls? We all say to our daughters, nieces or that cute [...]
When we share the news that we're expecting a bundle of joy we usually expect a positive response. We assume that people will be happy for us – whether it is friends or family – and don't expect to get a negative response. from Essential Baby, by Jo Hartley So what happens when this isn't the case – when your news is not met with joy but, instead, if your [...]
A new term has emerged, Grey Divorce. Divorcing when you are in your 50’s, 60’s or even later in life, and you have adult children, has specific challenges compared to divorcing when the children are young. There are an escalating number of couples choosing separation and divorce in this older age group. Is it because couples wait until their children have grown up and left and no child support issues [...]
How often do we all say this – ‘I’m so ridiculously busy’, ‘I’m just flat out’, ‘Haven’t got time to scratch myself’, ‘ I need another day or two in the week’ ….. and the list goes on. We all seem to do it these days; we all seem so overwhelmed by work and life things we need to do, we are just so ridiculously busy. What is making us [...]
I recently wrote a paper on Domestic Violence, a subject very close to my heart and one I deal with in my Therapy rooms all too often. The trauma the women and children experience from these domestic violent and abusive outbursts remain with the victim forever. While there is now a new push to teach children non-gender bias and respect in the schools I wonder if this additional teacher requirement [...]
New research has emerged stating that spending some time in Nature can help our Brain. A walk in the park may soothe the mind and, in the process, change the workings of our brains in ways that improve our mental health. In a recent study conducted at Stanford University, it showed people who walked in a park and through nature had a much quieter mind and their responses to negative [...]
