Originally posted in February of 2011   Children who come from the hard places hate themselves. Their very young brains try to make sense of how all of the horrible things could have possibly happened, and they come to one conclusion very early on: it must be me. I am the problem. I am bad. I am unlovable. And they believe it. Over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and […]

Tags: pacing yourself

Originally posted in February of 2011   “The basic rules of improv theater … are key and fundamental to therapeutic parenting.” – Billy Kaplan, LCSW I keep munching on this. The basics of improv theater are: Learning a new way of thinking Respect for others in negotiations or transactional relationships Being “in the moment“ Make positive choices that keep doors open Proactive listening as opposed to passive or even responsive listening Trusting one another to do the right thing Benefiting […]

Tags: pacing yourself

Originally posted in January of 2011   We just survived a tough two weeks with the trauma (which is now triggered regularly by full-on puberty). I understand why the therapists encourage us to work our tails off on the healing before puberty, if at all possible. Our kids are already onions, with many, many layers of issues and hurts. Puberty takes that onion, genetically modifies it, and turns it into a County Fair prize winner. A freakishly bigger onion, but […]

Tags: pacing yourself

Originally posted July 10, 2013 Forgiveness. Blerg. I have come to a conclusion about life:  forgiveness is really difficult and will always be difficult. You can quote me on that brilliance.  Hell, make a Facebook meme. I have a very hard time with forgiveness in general because, well, I’m human.  Also because I feel things deeply and intensely.  Forgiveness is not forgetting (if someone has told you that, I hope you’ve politely cackled at such absurdity).  Forgiveness is having a […]

Tags: pacing yourself