Kassidy’s entire life was spent in and out of the social service system. Her parents separated three times throughout her childhood before her father moved away. Growing up, Kassidy’s father had a drinking problem and she was never able to build…
Why do children lie? It might be disappointing to catch your child in a lie, but it is a normal stage in child development. Young children around 3 and 4 often lie just to avoid a punishment or to receive a reward. For example, a child who spilled…
Is your mood and energy so low this time of year that you think you could have “winter blues” or seasonal affective disorder? Read on to learn about the difference between the two, the symptoms, and coping strategies. What is SAD? Seasonal Affective…
Holiday family get-togethers can be stressful. All of those old childhood wounds can get reopened, and, in some families, new issues are created. Even in families that appear to get along, unvoiced resentments from the past can linger behind a mask of…
One of the most potent attacks that our mind can bring against us is unforgiveness. Left undealt with, it can impact our health. Many of us have gone or are going through some difficult or challenging experiences. You may be hurt and experiencing pain.…
The holidays are a whirlwind of excitement, especially so for kids. The over-the-top nature of the holidays can be a lot of fun, but can easily become too much. While many may get stressed out by all of the parties and plans, kids can be downright overwhelmed.…
Christmas and other holidays may be times of joy and celebration; an occasion to reunite with loved ones and to share traditions and good times...for some people. However, there are situations that can make this season extremely hard for other people.…
Many people never experience high self-worth or feel high self-esteem. People with low self-esteem tend to think they have little worth and have a negative view of almost everything. Expecting the worst, they invite it and, unfortunately, they often…
Emotions like anger do not just go away on their own. We can no more stop feeling angry than we can stop feeling love or affection. Some people turn anger against themselves by eating or drinking, some people turn it against others verbally or physically,…
Chris had been through a lot and was struggling with day-to-day life. As a kid, he was bullied because his father was a police constable. “I was terrorized daily on my way to school which included violence like punching to stop me from getting on…
Childhood trauma can really shake you up, but you can heal from it. ACEs are adverse (harmful) childhood experiences that impact brain development. They can damage immune systems and change how people respond to stress. The physical effects of ACEs can…
This month’s article is written by a guest blogger at The Blog Frog, Ashley Lipman.Learning isn’t limited to any age. No matter why you’re studying, developing good learning habits is key to actually understanding new information. Whether you’re…
Michelle was struggling with depression as she was building up the courage to get a divorce. Stuck in an abusive relationship, she felt that she had no control of her life. Even with her husband working out of town Michelle still found herself living…
It is unrealistic to think that we can get through life without some sort of emotional pain. As human beings, we all experience challenges that change and form us into the people we are today. Just living in the world presents us with continual risk.…
Teresa, a mother of five, had struggled with substance abuse for years, starting with drugs and alcohol at the age of 12. She soon after ran away from home and was sent to Calgary to live with her then step-mom. “My life really took a drastic turn…
We all struggle with life’s ups and downs. Usually, you can handle the pitfalls that life throws your way by developing strategies to work through everyday, ordinary worries. However, when things get a little more challenging, many people seek support…
The strong rapport between Blake, Nick, and David is so obvious from the moment you meet them, that it is surprising to learn that they recently celebrated only their one-year anniversary as a family. Blake’s dream of having two dads will soon be official…
“No!” he says, with arms crossed, scowling face, and feet planted firmly on the floor. If you’re parenting a strong-willed child, you’ll recognize these signs. Children are born with a number of personality traits and the spirited child is often…
Talking about addictions is a bit tricky. Most people think immediately of someone who has an addiction to alcohol, drugs, or gambling. Images of children going hungry, domestic violence, and job loss are often associated with addiction. However, there…