Boundaries are an act of self-love and are part of healthy self-care. As we grow older, it is natural that we need different boundaries with our family to those that were suitable as a child. This means that even in …
Skilled and Unskilled Boundary Setting
Think about the difference between: “You are late again, you don’t care about me, it is so disrespectful” and “I feel disrespected and sad when you are late to meet me, and I need you to call and let me …
Examples of Self-Talk to Support Your Boundaries
Boundaries are a form of self-care and self-love. Once you have set a boundary, the struggle can be maintaining it. Maintaining a boundary takes strength and self-trust. I find if I am not sure about the boundary I have set, …
Tips for Setting and Maintaining Boundaries
Boundaries are part of self-care. They are an expression of love and protection from ourselves, to ourselves. I find that the boundaries I struggle to maintain are the ones that for different reasons, other people don’t like. I find the …
Tips for Conversations about Family Issues
Your boundaries are for YOU, they are not to change the other person. They are to keep you and your energy safe. Boundaries are healthy. Without boundaries our energy gets drained, we become resentful and angry and we are susceptible …
Tips for Conversations about Family Issues
Not all families are ready for family meetings. Family meetings work when a family is ready to problem-solve together. If this is not the case, then family therapy is the best place to start to lead to more self-directed collaboration. …
The Importance of Discussing Family Issues
“In your dreams!” I hear many of you thinking as you read this tile, and for many of you, that is true. Having family discussions about important issues can be a disaster for everyone involved depending on the emotional maturity …
Family Discussion Barriers
At the first sign of disagreement, uncomfortable issues or emotions, does your family ‘shut down’? Shutting down is often done to protect the individuals and the family system and is often done because the members simply don’t have the skills …
How to Approach Family Discussions about Cycle Breaking
A lot of cycle breaking that takes place in families happens without much open discussion. Often families don’t have the language or willingness to discuss things that might be unhealthy for one or more members. Things that might prevent a …
Journaling Prompts for Family Insights
Taking time to understand your family is part of the healing process. As we get to know our parents, for most of us, there are parts that we love and respect and parts that drive us crazy. If you have …