Do’s and don’ts of communicating with alienated adult children (and older teens)
Yep, I said it. Adult children owe us nothing. In a family without alienation, we get the relationship with our children we have earned and deserve. I…
A Guide to Parallel Parenting with a High Conflict Ex
...Narcissistic or not, parents can get very territorial. They can become self-righteous and feel entitled to tell us how we should or shouldn’t be…
4 Simple Questions To Help Kids Change Their Behaviour
...If we notice positive behaviour and comment on it, the positive behaviour will be repeated as long as we keep commenting on it and rewarding the ch…
Why Kids Should Not Be in Charge of the Visitation Schedule
Children who are subjected to pathogenic parenting are also often subjected to permissive parenting. The children are told their feelings, wants, and …
Beware The Expert – Finding Help That Fits
...There I said it. Sometimes coaches and therapists are wrong too. Or at least wrong for your family, or rather not a good fit for the dynamic you ar…
What About Me? Step/mums and Family Holiday Traditions
It’s amping up to ‘that’ time of year. Holiday stress is a thing. It’s more often a thing for women. It’s often a very different…
Why Step-moms Get Jealous & Insecure In The Most Stable Relationships
You’re not weak or silly for feeling unsettled in your relationship when your partner’s past is so present in your situation. It’s not weird to …
Should I give up fighting for my alienated child?
...If you've been battling in court for years, then you are very possibly tapped out and wondering whether you can go on. You will be given all sorts …
How to deal with an overstepping ex or stepparent
...In a healthy dynamic, where step/parents are solid and secure in their roles, they can have conversations about co-parenting and make joint decisio…
Stepkids…Half Cat, Half Alien
...A friend who’s a teacher once made a passing comment, saying that kids just need patience and kindness. It’s stuck with me and I try to remembe…
3 Simple Steps To Avoid Mother’s Day Misery
... there are very few days in the year that can bring as much misery, resentment, and pain to women as Mother’s Day. It’s such a hyped up occasio…
No Shortcuts in Step-Family Dynamics
Is it time for you to reframe your expectations about how your step-family is evolving? Is it time to reach out for some professional help?
Making Time Matters
For too many years to comfortably count or acknowledge, my mantra was ‘I don’t have time’. I didn’t have time to stick on a load of dishes or …
What Is (And Isn’t) Parental Alienation Syndrome?
It’s important to realise that a single moment of expressing exasperation about the other house, or your ex, is not going to cause PAS. PAS is cause…
Kids’ Rooms in the Step-Dynamic
One thing I have learned in 20 odd years of parenting is that telling kids to clean their room is rarely effective. If we get overwhelmed looking at a…