Angels of Love and Demons of Fear

Dark angel looking over box with golden figure inside it

Once upon a time, in a small village, lived a family. They had a small guest house at the back of their property, where people passing by stayed for the night.

All four of their kids helped in the guest house and when they finished their chores, went to play with the other kids – all but the second son, Tom.

Tom was a very quiet and a sad boy. He never smiled, never laughed and the other kids did not want to play with him.

One day, an old man came to the guest house and Tom, who loved listening to the guests’ stories, showed the old man his room.

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Check Your Temperature on Valentine’s Day

Box of chocolates and flowers for Valentine's Day

If you are single not by choice or you do have a partner but struggle in your relationship, Valentine’s Day can be a sad day.

I guess after the hype of the cards and the gifts, the chocolate and the romantic dinners, each and one of us considers it a reflection day, a day to check how much we love each other and how much love there is around us.

For many people, the chocolates are there to ease the sadness.

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When Will You Get Married?

I am 36, my younger brother is getting married and the whole family nags me about getting married.

I’m so stressed about that wedding. I hate weddings. Everyone has something to say about me not being married.

Any tips?

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7 Easy Secrets of Behaviour Management

Behaviour management seems to be a big part of parenting. Parents struggle with their kids’ behaviour over their entire parenting “career”.

Many times, I have been asked if I had a “magic formula” to solve behavioural problems and I always say that behaviour management is not fixing behavioural problems but preventing them from happening.

The difference between fixing a problem and preventing it is the difference between a proactive mindset and a reactive one. When I need to fix a problem, I become “The Fire Brigade” and start putting out fires and that is no fun, because I am then controlled by the circumstances or the people around me (the kids).

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How to Fill Your Love Tank

It was a very open discussion. Parents talked about their own experiences regarding physical touch. Most were above the age of 40. They talked about living as kids in a society that had discouraged physical expressions like hugs and kisses as soon as kids became teens.

Some talked about coming from cultures where fathers shook hands with their kids. One mother said her teen did not like her hugging and kissing him, especially around others. Then, another mother, let’s call her Maggie, who was there by herself, raised her hand and asked a question:

“I understand the importance of hugs, but I find it hard to hug my daughter. What can I do?”

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The Story of Mike

Bearded man looking sadly out the window

I met Mike at a café. He was very tall and good looking. He had just left home after 11 years of marriage and said “I hate her” 30 times in one meeting. He wanted to know if I could help him. “I’ve been to counselling, but that didn’t work”, he said to me.

He wanted to divorce and did not know how to go about it. He talked about making this a smooth separation and about finding a new partner. “I’m a one woman man”, he said. I liked it. Working with so many couples seconds before they divorce, at least infidelity was not the reason in this case.

Mike had already arranged the paperwork with his lawyer. “I’m going to divorce her”, he said at the end of the first session.

In many cases, coaching is like being an investigator. At the end of the first session, I sat in the café, writing all the pieces of the puzzle I had gathered from Mike.

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Things I want my kids to know: I will come!

I was sitting in the most wonderful place in the world – on the beach of Koh Samui in Thailand. My daughter was almost seven years old and my was just one yea old and was running on the beach naked. As the two of them were building sand castles, I learned the first thing I want my kids to know.

A 60 year-old man approached us and told us this story.

This post is part 1 of 7 in the series Things I Want My Kids to Know

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Memorial Day – The Last Christmas

Every year since 1982, the 25th of December (Christmas Day) is a memorial day for me. One of the people who had the greatest influence on my life passed away that day. I remember the phone call early in the morning, telling me he was not with us anymore. He was the first person close to me who had ever died. I was just 18 and for a long time I thought about not having the opportunity to say goodbye.

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Why Do People Say “I Love You” And Not Mean It?

Question My husband recently said he did not love me at all. He said he had not loved me for a long time. It hurts so much. Why would he do that? Answer I am sure he loved you when he said he did. When he said he did not love you he must have […]

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Mother of Three Flirting with Her High School Sweetheart

I have had this discussion many times and I think it is about time I write about it. I would like to be honest and say that I am a mother of three, I still flirt with my high school sweetheart and I am proud of it! In fact, I recommend this to all of you!

You are probably saying to yourself, “Of course you would recommend this to everyone. You are just trying to encourage herself.”

Is it OK or not? I will let you be the judge.

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