How do we foster creativity in our children and in our parenting? Both require space and time. We all need ample time and a sense of abundant space…
It’s a child’s natural response to protest against our parental demands (on their time, space, behaviour, activities, etc.). But a child’s protests are all part of their development.…
When I think of ‘blended’ families, I remember what one of my counselling students said years ago. I was teaching a course on working with blended families, and she thought…
‘Why does the moon change’, ‘why do clouds float’, ‘why does wind blow’, ‘Why? Why? Why?!’ is repeated incessantly by children between approximately 3-5 years old, sometimes to…
Kiwi Families asked me to contribute reflections on wellness, coming from both my professional and personal viewpoints. I’m a family counsellor and solo Mother. Some of you may…
The first parent I think of celebrating is the widow of the black man, Philando Castile, murdered by an American policeman when pulled over for a broken tail…
What a cruel end to a lazy, warm summer! Kids’ feet cramped by shoes; t-shirts and togs replaced with stiff uniforms, and parents girding themselves to become disciplinarians again.…
I read an inspiring interview with Australian Kim Graham Nye, co- founder of GDiapers, in Conscious Company, a magazine promoting business with a mission. Kim and her husband,…
Imagine having just given birth and being told by the doctor that your baby probably wouldn’t live, that you should get ready to say goodbye. But then baby…
Let’s grow our concept of what ‘Growing Families’ means – I mean expand the orbit of the current paradigm of the nuclear family to include significant, influential others, such as grandmas,…
“Creativity” – what comes to mind? Inner dialogue such as “I don’t have time for creativity,” or “my kids have time for creativity but I don’t, I have…
We’re heading into the Christmas / Chanukah Holiday “Silly” Season. It’s also the time of the summer solstice, when the southern hemisphere has turned its belly up towards…
Have a quick read of this article by the Khan Academy (free internet learning) founder. While I agree with Khan’s premise that we should  acknowledge our children’s/students’/own learning efforts and…
I’d like to share with other solo mothers two of the practices that I developed that served me and my child well. Being on my own while pregnant…
If you’re a solo parent with primary care, the “Good Time Parent” is the parent who has your child primarily on the weekends, doing fun things, while you slog…
One definition of sustainability is when all parts of a system are in a balanced state, allowing natural development. In a family system, this means each person’s needs for food,…
A Jewish friend refers to Christmas as the loneliest day of the year for Jews. As a fellow Jew, I heartily agree . Â And as a solo parent,…
What is Hanukkah, besides lighting the Menorah for eight nights, before or after Christmas, depending on the year? (In 2013, November 27- December 5). Is Hanukkah merely a…
If you’re reading this, you have the material resources to provide for not only food and shelter, but also a computer with an internet connection. You probably also…
The other night my tweenie son came home grumpy and sullen from an overnight with his father. My new boyfriend was over and I was sensitive to how…