In many relationships today, people focus on what they can get GET from the other person, instead of what they can GIVE. No wonder so many people have failed relationships. (read more…)

Popularity: 71%

Is this a good time? Do you have a few minutes? Am I interrupting anything? All very polite intros when you are calling someone to discuss a particular matter, to lament or just to chat. So why do so many people not bother to ask? (read more…)

Popularity: 66%

Most people try to teach kids to say they’re sorry when it’s appropriate. Little Johnny steals Connor’s toy and won’t give it back. We patiently explain to Johnny that it is wrong to take things that don’t belong to us. We tell him he should apologize. Half the time I think kids say they are sorry just because they’ve been told to not because they understand that what they did was wrong and definitely not because they feel remorse. So how can you get kids to understand what an apology is really all about and how to deliver one appropriately?

Apologize to them. Have you? Do you? (read more…)

Popularity: 77%

Okay, this really has to be addressed ’cause a lot of people are just not getting it. And that includes adults. I have taken issue with call waiting since it first came out, like 30 years ago or something. I thought it was rude then and it’s grown into a norm these days that is even more unacceptable to me. Obviously it’s very useful but could we please use it with some discretion?

When you are talking with someone, on the phone or especially in person, IT IS RUDE to take a call from someone else.

 How many times in the last month have you been talking with someone and were asked to hold while the person took another call? How did you feel? (read more…)

Popularity: 86%

How good are you at saying no? I am pretty surprised at the number of people who struggle with this. Whether it’s yet another project at work or a friend in need, people just seem to have a hard time saying no. And if you can’t say no to that stuff, even when you really WANT to, my guess is you might be having trouble saying no to your children.

Saying no is one of the most important things to master when your kids are small. Yes, they will probably scream and cry their little hearts out when you tell them no and you will feel horrible about it but you must not cave.  (read more…)

Popularity: 40%

Want to learn more about adult ADHD and what it’s like?

I knew you did ’cause it’s amusing, fascinating, frustrating, and it may even be you! So here’s a story with some real irony. I met a friend for a cocktail one evening. I’ve been working with this guy on and off for years and he’s always got an interesting perspective on his ADHD. That evening, he told me (read more…)

Popularity: 69%