Family

Many women expect the empty nest. They anticipate quieter homes, fewer family obligations, and more independence. What they do not expect is the emotional shift that sometimes occurs when adult children begin living fully independent lives.

There’s a particular kind of silence that can come with aging. It’s not the quiet of an empty house (although that can happen too). It’s the silence that comes when someone who used to call you regularly no longer does. Those not-so-subtle reminders can sneak up on you when a birthday passes…

I don’t know about you, but as I get older, my tolerance for small talk decreases. I used to be in a profession in which schmoozing was important. I often took CEOs of public companies out to dinner to discuss their business goals. I advised many management teams and formed meaningful relationships with the investment community…

ast weekend I was taking a walk, looked down at the sidewalk and saw a small black circle next to a small hole and below was a curved branch in the shape of a wide U. What I saw in total was a smiley face staring back at me. Seeing that smiley face led me to think of current events both personal and universal…

After my 60-year-old husband walked out to make babies, I announced to my best friend that I was writing a memoir. “For revenge?” she asked. “NO!” I paused. “Well, maybe a little,” I admitted, though I knew revenge was not what I needed. After all, I’m a therapist, and choosing revenge is not a wise coping mechanism…

By the time we reach our 60s, we expect to be seasoned. We’ve survived marriages, careers, childbirth, aging parents, and perhaps even divorce. We know who we are. So why does a little distance from an adult child knock the wind out of us?

Getting through a divorce can be extremely difficult at best, even when both parties are doing their best to cooperate. In cases where there is high conflict, divorce can turn from challenging to disaster quickly, as one or both parties…

As someone who specializes in marital communication and interactions, I often talk to people about how important voice tone is in terms of a marriage’s overall tone. But I recently realized that there’s another way to improve the tone of a marriage. And that’s through music…

If you’ve ever wondered, “We’re close… so why doesn’t my grandchild tell me what’s really going on?” you’re not alone. Many grandparents feel quietly hurt when they learn something important later – through parents…

Let’s say the quiet part aloud. Some senior communities feel like high school cafeterias with better lighting. There are cliques. There is whispering. There are women who decide who is “in” and who is quietly pushed to the margins…