Family

Whether it comes unexpectedly or after a long illness, losing a spouse is traumatic at best. At worst it can be debilitating. I know because, at age 35, I became a widow myself. While many people want to help, it can be difficult to know how…

The first year after it happened, I was devastated. It was Mother’s Day and both my son and daughter, then in their late 20s, were using drugs and alcohol. I waited and waited for the call. Like all day. Nothing. I remember standing in the shower that night…

Divorces initiated later in life have surged in recent years, marking a stark shift in marital dynamics. Younger couples find it relatively easier to part ways due to their upbringing in a society where dual-career households are the norm…

Have you been married or with your partner for a while and want to bring the spark back before you get to the point of needing to save your marriage? Mark and I have been together for 35 years and married for 31 of them – yikes!

When divorce occurs, what was enough to retire on, when you both lived in the same house, can become barely enough to live comfortably, or worse. Many of my mediation cases involve a stay-at-home parent, usually moms…

As we embrace the holiday season, filled with its customary warmth and family festivities, it’s essential to recognize that this time can present unique challenges for parents and adult children navigating estrangement. If you are in this situation…

Eating at home can be better and more fun than dining out every day. In this article I share seven ways to make home food preparation interesting. For many years, it was my responsibility to feed our family of seven, three healthy meals a day…

Somehow the month of May instantly became November, and it’s time to prepare for the holidays. I’ve followed the regular rituals of the season for several decades, but this year I intend to change the frantic schedule and reduce or eliminate…

Let’s face it. The older someone gets, the harder it is to buy holiday gifts for him or her. How many sweaters and ties do you need after all? My wife and I stopped exchanging gifts because frankly, we get what we need all year round!

Have you experienced ups and downs in your marriage lately? Things don’t feel the same anymore, but you are committed and love each other? Of course, we change as we mature, and so does our relationship with our spouse…