Dear Mabel, I have been struggling with some issues my children are having and was wondering if you had any ideas. I got divorced 11 years ago after my ex-wife was derailed. After much struggle, I did finally get full custody of our two children, with visitation rights granted to their mother. The children have… Read More ›
Category Archives: Parenting
Are we making things too perfect for our kids?
The other day I read a story about a child who was running on the pool deck at the local swimming area. The lifeguard told the child to walk, as to be expected around a big hole of water. But what happened next was shocking. The dad went up to the lifeguard and told him… Read More ›
How Do You Coparent When You Don’t Get Along?
Divorced parents, who don’t get along, are always asking me how they are supposed to coparent when they are always fighting? The truth is, they can’t. If you can’t get along and are always being harsh or disgruntled with each other, you can’t successfully co-parent. You have to make a choice. One parent can take… Read More ›
Ask Mabel: How do I communicate with my husband in front of our kids without undermining him?
Dear Mabel, I am reaching out to you again for your guidance and support. I have an issue with my husband and the way he addresses our children when he is angry. He can get to the point where he looks and speaks very terrifyingly at them, and my heart just breaks. They are fearful… Read More ›
Ask Mabel: I am torn between an important work training and a request from my child, what do I do?
Dear Mabel, I am having a mom/work dilemma and I am so very torn. Tomorrow is my daughter’s last day of kindergarten. We recently moved out of the area to a new school district, but we were able to allow my daughter to finish the year at her old school. She is struggling because tomorrow… Read More ›
Help yourself and your kids by managing anxiety
Anxiety is a very real thing that many of us face. It can be so easy to get overcome with emotions, feel overwhelmed by the day’s events, and get frustrated. Next thing you know you are lashing out at your children. Yelling at them for things that aren’t really their fault. We have all done… Read More ›
How to Keep Your Relationship Healthy After Baby
Let’s be realistic. Having a baby can be a wonderful thing for a relationship but it does not leave any relationship unchanged. Babies are a huge life transition for anyone, which comes with a lot of challenges (and joys). In order to keep your relationship healthy post-baby: 1.) Change your expectations — Don’t try to… Read More ›
Ask Mabel: I feel bad about the thoughts I have regarding my children because of my postpartum psychosis
Dear Mabel, I have decided that I need to see a therapist about my postpartum psychosis. I have been having bad thoughts about my babies. I would never hurt them but it makes me feel like a horrible mom for having these thoughts. I know therapy is a step in the right direction but is… Read More ›
Summertime is the best time…for teens to get therapy
Summer is approaching us and that means kids are out of school. It means more fun in the sun, sports, vacations, and a break from the chaos that is the school year. And, while it might not be at the top of your radar—it is the best time for your teen to get therapy. Many… Read More ›
Motherhood and Alcoholism: When is it a problem?
Alcohol has widely become “part” of motherhood as odd as that may seem. Our culture is normalizing this practice and minimizing its potential impact on moms and their families. There are social media groups and websites like “mommy needs vodka,” and “moms who need wine.” As a mom myself it has become commonplace to hear… Read More ›