Blog Posts by HybridHer

Teens love their parents and deep down they want to get along and have a relationship that they can always count on. However, some things they do can drive their kids crazy…and even sabotage a good relationship.

1. Don't Ask 'Answer-Questions'

An Answer-Question is a question that already has the answer in it. For example, moms love to ask, "Don't you think that girl Sheila is mean?" or, "Do you think you should do something about that very important extra-credit assignment?" Sometimes Answer-Questions drive us crazy because it makes us feel like our parents don't think we know what to do, or belittle our opinions.

2. Comparing Us Hurts More Than You Think

Whenever a parent starts a sentence with, "Why can't you be more like…" teens automatically cringe. Fill in the blank with perfect best friend, older sibling or a younger, more obedient version of Mom. Many parents don't realize that comparing us to others makes us feel bad about ourselves and sends us the message

1. WHAT TYPE OF PARENT ARE YOU CURRENTLY? Rate yourself. If you could score yourself on a 1-10 basis, one being the worst and ten being the best, where would you put yourself and why? After having over fifty parents answer this question, I have found the most common answer to be anywhere from a five or less. As parents, we tend to think we are never doing enough. We think we're ok but could always do better. We remember everything we did wrong. I just yelled at my daughter, I wasn't fully listening, I couldn't get off of work to see her school play. We never think of the good we did.

2. WHAT TYPE OF PARENT DO YOU WANT TO BE? What personality traits do you need to work on as a parent? Think of all the traits you would like to portray to your children. Think of the person you would want to be that would make you a great role model. Remember, most traits are learned. This means you can learn any new traits you think your missing (patience, listening skills, empathy, etc). This also

Did you know that stomach bloat can be triggered by anything from reheating pasta to fluctuating hormones? Let's learn what is behind that fluctuating waistband and bloated feeling - and what can you do about it.

RE-HEATING FOOD
If you feel uncomfortable after eating potatoes, rice or pasta in a restaurant it turns out you may have more to blame than the bread basket.

These foods are often re-heated and this changes the molecular structure, turning it into a "resistant starch." This can't be digested in the small intestine and hence passes into the large intestine. The bacteria that helps break it down produces gas, hence bloating.

What can you do about it? Try to eat freshly cooked food as much as possible. Processed foods such as ready-made meals have more resistant starch.

FLUCTUATING HORMONES Also, during ovulation the ovaries produce more progesterone and it causes muscles in the abdomen to relax. The muscles in the bowel also relax, meaning they are less

There are recent reports concerning whether teen Facebook users experience an increase in depression. Researchers disagree whether this is a new type of depression or an extension of existing forms of depression. Teens with low self esteem, school stress and family stress are vulnerable to depressions. The number of friends they have on Facebook, their status as well as the status of their friends, and the constantly updated photos may add to a teen feeling self critical and not 'popular' enough. It can also add to feeling ostracized, bullied, or teased.

Social networks help teens feel more connected. Social networks have become the place teens "hang out." However, if that teen does not feel like they measure up to other teens, it can become a world of loneliness and a constant reminder of perceived shortcomings. In extreme cases, suicide notes have been posted on Facebook, which demonstrate the powerful connection teens feel toward their virtual and real friends.

If the teen's

Who knew the highly anticipated camp calls would be such a blow to my relationship? (BTW - I'm not always this overbearing, but when my baby is 1000 miles away for a month and I get 10 minutes to talk to him… it's ON….)

Okay, it's camp time and everyone is getting their calls from the kids. What I'm finding is that I want to strangle my husband during and after each call. The crazy thing is, I'm apparently not alone.

Look, we moms are ready. We've stayed up until the wee hours waiting for the pictures to download and we've studied them. We know what our kids have done each day and whether they look like they've made friends or they're feeling left out. We know whether they're arms are around a friend or they're sitting uncomfortably next to someone with their hands in their lap.

We can tell every detail and our minds are racing to find out the truths behind the images and we want to hear their sweet little voices. We also know that what we have to say is way more

As a parent, nanny, or babysitter, your heart aches when a child's heart breaks. In this blog, we will consider one particular heartbreaking experience and how it can be handled. Consider this: your child's classmates are all invited to a party hosted by one of the children in the class. However, your child did not get an invitation. It appears that he was singled out in not receiving an invitation. Your child is understandably feeling hurt and confused. He may even feel angry. What can you do?

• If you have a good relationship with the host family, you may speak with them to determine if an invitation was mailed but not received. Or perhaps it was left on your child's desk at school but managed to get misplaced in the shuffle of his school papers before he even noticed that he had it.
• If your child has a good relationship with the host child, he may speak with the host child to determine if an invitation was lost; if the relationship was damaged, resulting in no invitation being

One difficult phrase and concept that I try to get clients to understand is "Mind Blowing Intimacy." This is no surprise as we are inundated with "Mind Blowing Sex" on reality TV, in magazines, on the internet, and in movies. "Mind Blowing Sex" gets the highest media ratings, as well as most couples' attention. In truth, "Mind Blowing Sex" is nothing compared to "Mind Blowing Intimacy." In real life, "Mind Blowing Sex" cannot save a marriage, nor can the lack of it destroy one. "Mind Blowing Intimacy" can save a marriage and the lack of it can destroy a marriage.

Many of us are confused because we think the two are one in the same. They are not. Intimacy must come first in a healthy relationship or the relationship will not be well supported. I have worked with many couples who told me (while in the process of divorce) that the sex was still good, but there was no intimacy anymore. Women have a tendency to give men a bad rap in this area. Women generalize men. They believe men

An interesting by-product of these economic times is the rise of the "upscale" consignment shop.

In fact, such shops are popping up everywhere, even in affluent neighborhoods alongside other trendy and hip boutiques. Consignment shops (that is, shops that will accept and sell your gently used goods in return for a commission of the sales price) provide a great way for discerning buyers to find unique and designer goods at bargain prices, while at the same time, providing many with a way to make some easy cash just from cleaning out their closets.

So, how can you cash in on the Consignment Craze? Here are some important Do's and Don'ts:

DO consider the Quality of the Item. Consignment Shops are not dumping grounds for everything you and your children have outgrown. The clothes must be in excellent condition. The toys as well.

DON'T bring your winter coats to Consignment Shops in June. Don't bring your old Halloween costumes in February. Focus on what's in season.