Everyone instinctively knows that lying is wrong – no one wants to be lied to, and we feel guilty when we do it. But haven’t we all considered certain scenarios and wondered whether or not lying could be justified? This ethical issue is worth considering, because if lying is never justified, then we need clear direction for handling some tricky dilemmas. If there is a justifiable reason to mislead another person, then the virtue that […]
Everyone one loves a story, and children listen to stories much better than a lecture. Stories help children digest and apply concepts when metaphors have been placed in a context that relates to their world. Did you realize that storytelling and use of metaphors is one of the most effective tools that therapists use when helping children overcome emotional and social problems? When you want to help students with an issue such as anxiety, social […]
As I was waiting in line one afternoon in a hotel lobby, I observed a toddler having a conniption, as we say in the South. Actually, it was a full-throttle temper-tantrum. The child made it clear that she wanted to ride the motorcycle in the arcade, despite the fact that her father was trying to get on the elevator. When a child throws a temper tantrum in public, it’s awkward for everyone, especially for the […]
It’s time to end the complaining, and this applies to parents as well as the kids. Certainly, there will be times when life disappointments grieve us to the point that we have to get our feelings off our chest. In such a case, it’s understandable to vent to someone, as long as our perspective is reasonable and it doesn’t constitute gossip. However, if you “vent” twice, then you are probably complaining. If you are a […]
Some people love drama way too much. That’s why it has made millions for the television networks. In foregone days, soap operas were some of the most watched shows on television. Today, they’ve been replaced by reality TV. Drama may be entertaining to watch when you have no skin in the game, but it poisons a home. Drama turns a bad situation into a much worse situation. It escalates hurt feelings into bitterness. And, at […]
