Being raised as well-behaved and polite people has created huge filters for speaking up – for ourselves and others. The closer the relationships the more difficulty we have speaking our truth and the stronger the filters.
Most of us learned at an early age the rules about speaking out. Sometimes these early rules work against us [...]

Some couples have learned to avoid those particularly difficult subjects: money, discipline of the kids, the in-laws, etc. Here is a skill worth knowing for such talks so that the mutual discomfort does not grow beyond the capacity to talk.
When one person wants to talk, they can ask for twenty minutes or half an [...]

When two or more people gather together to talk, the means of communication is an interesting study. There are often two or more speaking at the same time. This leads me to wonder who is listening and actually Hearing what is being said. Particularly when there are only two in the conversation and it is [...]

Some households, especially those with young children, are full of outbursts of laughter and silliness. Many don’t. No matter the size of the family it can be so restorative and memorable to encourage these spontaneous belly-laughs.
It turns out that laughter provides an equal amount of emotional release as does crying or shouting.
Many years ago Norman [...]

Many successful organizations spend focused time creating a mission statement by which they steer their path and plans. Parents could develop succinct mission statements for each of their children as part of the parenting hopes and wishes. In fact, how about a Personal mission statement created by and for each individual. Interested?
Take a few quiet [...]