Parenting
We Show Up
Last weekend I drove two hours to attend the funeral of a dear friend's father-in-law. It was a no-brainer whether I would go or not. It was a chance to support her and her family, so it was without question. As I was walking up to the church, her sister saw me and...
It’s Okay To Get Lost
Last week I ran to the mall to return something at Lululemon. It was supposed to be a quick trip—make the return and leave. Because I had no intention of perusing the mall, I parked in a different spot than I usually do because it was closest to Lululemon. I stayed...
Try a Better Response to “I’m Going to Therapy”
I have a thirty-something year old male client who is very successful in business. It took a lot for him to make the call for us to meet because he felt stigmatized within the business world for appearing weak or crazy. We have worked together for almost a year and...
As Our Kids Get Older, We Get a New Always
My daughter decided at the last minute to come home for the weekend. She had only been back one night since January so she needed the respite that only home can provide. We loved on her, and she loved right back. We made her favorite cinnamon rolls, had lunch with...
The Four Seasons of Marriage
There is a local church in town that refers engaged couples to see me for four sessions before they walk down the aisle. Session one is always easy– Why marriage? How did you meet? When did you fall in love? Tell me about your families? What do you appreciate in...
Choosing The Good Stuff is Not Always The Easy Choice
The text came on Sunday afternoon from my daughter who’s home from college. She knew I was off work the next day and needed what she calls the “basics”— solid colored shirts, t-shirts, and jeans. She asked to go shopping together, about two hours away from where we...
Casserole Sunday
Every Sunday I get the best text of the week. “Hey… Will you make me a casserole”. It comes from my middle child, the one who doesn’t ask for much. The independent one, a hard working college student, not a big talker, and the one who rarely leans on others. I call...
What Your High School Junior Knows
Dear Parents of High School Juniors, As someone who has the privilege of working with high school students every day, hear me out on this one. Sometimes things are so obvious that we fail to take notice. Please, please, please, stop telling your precious child that...
The Longest Shortest 9 Months
We move them in— we move them out. It’s the longest shortest nine months What happens during the dash of drop off and pick up is a different kind of growth. It’s the kind of growth you can’t predict or prepare for and the kind of growth every young person needs....
No Goodbye Is An Easy Goodbye
They prepare you for the first goodbye. You know what to expect and you feel armed with tools to get you through. Lunches with friends, traveling, remodeling a room or two, finding new interests. It helps salve the parent-heart that suddenly feels so lost and...
