Smart Woman Viewpoint

Families and relationships come in every shape and size. To me, the essence of a family is not our blood ties, our gender, or other societal dictates that say what “should” be. It’s love, it’s affection, it’s allowance, it’s vulnerability and safety all rolled up together. It’s an opening of your heart to let another in. It’s that moment you realize you are accepted as you are, where you are, both now and in the future. It is a knowing that no one else can decide for you. It makes room for us to be loved and respected and relished.

If the family you were born into doesn’t fill your needs, build another. There is one for all of us and we all need one.

Articles:

The Key that Opens the Door to Extraordinary Families: We’ve started a new game in our home. Each night at the dinner table we each take turns asking another family member a question about himself. “So, Rick, how are you feeling about your interview on Monday?” “Mom, what do you want for Christmas?” Sounds like just a normal conversation, right? (…).

From Baby Boomer to Mother-in-Law: How to Play Your New Role: Now that your son has popped the question, the congratulations from your friends include some advice about the wedding: “smile, shut up and wear beige.” But it doesn’t have to be like this. You have the right stuff to rewrite the rules without becoming the Mother-in-Law from Hell. You came of age during the sexual revolution, juggled career and family, broke new ground for women, enjoyed the role of superwoman. (…).

How to Launch Your “Boomerang Kidult”: Once Labor Day has come and gone, all the kids should be out of the house and back at school. But wait! What about your emerging adult child who is still living with you, his or her college degree neatly tucked away? Are you in the midst of a replay of the big screen comedy “Failure to Launch” and not finding it quite so funny? You’re not alone. (…).

How to Shift from Daddy’s Girl to Dad’s Caregiver: Have you ever wondered how you can give back to  your parents emotionally what they have given you?  It was painful for Tricia, as her father declined in his 80’s. “Dad and I shared such fun times together when I was young – he taught me how to ride a horse, shoot a BB gun, ice skate, stand on my head. He was always so active. (…).