Articles containing: family

Coping With Holiday Stress

Let’s just paint a little picture. It’s a picture we already know pretty well, but still every year it seems to take many of us by irritable surprise.

It’s cold outside.

The World Series: A Metaphor For Life

My kids roll their eyes when I tell them that being a sports fan is a lot like life. This is probably because I say it too much.

But just look at our rhetorical metaphors.

For football: “We went the whole nine yards.” Or “I didn’t have anything to lose, so I just tossed a Hail Mary.

Shrinking It Down: The Death of a Pet

You can also subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn.

***

Last season, we talked about the benefits of pets for our kids’ mental health. That unconditional love helps our children to build skills and navigate important life lessons.

What Parents Can Do to Promote Mental Wellness in Our Children

Parents are the true experts when it comes to knowing their children, and often the first to notice any changes in their kids’ behavior:

Colin was a happy youngster. He had friends, did well in school, and got along with his siblings and parents at home. But in recent months, mom noticed that Colin seemed more distant.

Growing Up With a Sibling With a Disability

“You don’t understand, Mom!” I said.  “They were making fun of him! They were imitating his speech and laughing!”

My mom shrugged.  It would take more than a couple of small-town high school punks to get her attention.

Shrinking It Down: Our Greatest Strengths (Season 1, Episode 16)

You can also listen to this podcast on SoundCloud, Stitcher, and iTunes. 

***

Did you know that Dr. Ellen Braaten has a mild form of dyslexia and had to work really hard at reading when she was a child? Did you know that Dr. Gene Beresin has always struggled with math?

We all have challenges. We all have differences.

Creativity Gives Our Brains a Boost: Shrinking It Down (Season 1, Episode 12)

You can also listen to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, SoundCloud, and most podcast apps – just search for “Shrinking It Down.

Family: Stories of Adoption

According to the Urban Dictionary, a family is “a group of people…who genuinely love, trust, care about, and look out for each other… REAL family is a bondage that cannot be broken by any means.

Shrinking It Down: Loving Relationships (Season 1, Episode 7)

You can also listen to this podcast on SoundCloud, Stitcher, and iTunes. 

***

While relationships with family, friends, and even pets can be challenging, learning how to balance our needs with the needs of others can lead to meaningful, loving relationships.

Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Steve Schlozman are joined by Dr.

Shrinking It Down: Navigating Divisiveness During the Holidays (Season 1, Episode 3)

You can also listen to this podcast on SoundCloud, Stitcher, and iTunes. 

***

Differing viewpoints, feelings of frustration. We’re all constantly on edge today, and families can be home to a wide range of beliefs, which only adds stress to “together” time.