Jennifer comes home after a long day at work. Jeff has just prepared dinner for her and their three children. He is excited because he intends to inaugurate a special family meal involving a new recipe each week. The dinner is ready when Jennifer comes home. They sit and eat, and engage in a lively conversation. However, after the dinner, Jennifer seems sad. When Jeff asks why, Jennifer complained that Jeff never does anything to make her feel loved. What’s going on here? Jeff loves … [Read more...]
Our Culture of Narcissism: Has it Affected Your Child?
September 4, 2013 By
by Michael F. Mascolo, Ph.D. My door is open. A student comes into my office. She walks in and says, “I’d like to drop one of my classes”. I smile, and as welcoming as I can be, I ask, “Do we know each other?” Another student failed two courses during the previous semester. He had good reasons – a series of serious emergencies had emerged and he couldn’t complete his work. He was too ashamed to talk to his professors about his situation. I urged him to write to them. Knowing that he would … [Read more...]
The Mother’s Dilemma
August 29, 2013 By
by Karolyn Benger “I’m making superlawn” my three year old son said as he stuffed wood chips and dirt into the plastic cement mixer at our nearby playground. “What’s super lawn?” I asked and he explained in great detail about food you could eat from dirt once it had been mixed up enough in a cement mixer. It was around one o’clock and since my son didn’t nap anymore we were outside for our post-lunch half of the day. I was predominately a stay at home mother. I say predominately because … [Read more...]
An Open Letter to Teens about Sex
August 28, 2013 By
By Michael F. Mascolo, Ph.D. The following is a letter to teenage children about sexuality. This letter is for all teens, regardless of their age, sexual orientation or political persuasion. It was written in a spirit that I hope will be seen as free from any particular political agenda, liberal, conservative or otherwise. My hope is that the values expressed in this letter will be something that many of us can agree upon. However, if we differ, my hope is that it will at least lead to … [Read more...]
Four Fears that Undermine Good Parenting
August 26, 2013 By
Many of us, as parents, harbor some unfounded fears that, if left unchecked, can easily get in the way of our attempts to be good parents. Nice Parent, Mean Parent Have you ever noticed how often parents speak – even in jest – of being “nice” or “mean” to their children? “My son wanted to go to a friend’s house before finishing his homework. I didn’t let him, and he missed the chance to see his friend. I’m such a mean parent!” “She knows she can get whatever she wants from her Dad. … [Read more...]
Managing the Transition Back to School
August 19, 2013 By
By Kate Roberts, Ph.D. Regardless of your child’s age, the first day of school can be daunting for children and parents. It’s not just the transition from summer to school year that can be overwhelming. It can be especially difficult during a transition year when a child is entering a new environment such as kindergarten, first grade, middle school, or high school. Here are some tips for a good start to a transitional school year: Start early. Shop for new supplies and clothes in … [Read more...]
Why Punishment Doesn’t Work (And What Does)
August 15, 2013 By
You are driving on the highway. You are going a bit over the speed limit. (Okay, maybe more than just a bit…). In front of you, you see a police cruiser on the side of the road. Your heart jumps a bit. Your foot touches the breaks and you slow down. You pass the police officer unscathed. Whew! You feel grateful, and just a little bit afraid of what could have been. So you start driving more slowly. For about a minute and a half that is. Okay, let’s change the scenario. Same … [Read more...]
