Family Issues
nataliechandler
What's your family role? Lost Child

Teri and Tamara did an excellent job of describing the Family Hero and the Scapegoat in our families. I want to discuss with you the role in the family that typically gets "lost", The Lost Child. The Lost Child is usually shy and quiet. They prefer solitude and often have fantasy lives as children. 

What's your family role? Lost Child
addictions, Codependency, Relationship Addiction, Relationships
nataliechandler
Addictions- Relationships

As we continue to discuss Addictions this week, it is important to identify Relationship Addictions. We see this a lot at Imagine Hope. Again, it is one of the Addictions that is hard to recognize if you don't understand what it is. It is "acceptable". You've heard people say, and there was even a song written about it, "They are just addicted to love". This can actually happen. 

Addictions- Relationships

Family Issues

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Taking Care of Yourself Through A Divorce: Adjusting

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Taking Care of Yourself Through A Divorce: Adjusting

Evaluate your relationships and make whatever life adjustments you feel are necessary. During a divorce, you might encounter many "Monday Morning Quarterbacks"... the people who feel like they need to give you advice on what you should have done differently, or those that might think you need to hear them repeatedly "bash" your soon-to-be-ex.  Perhaps there are people around you that encourage you do things that are self-destructive (like trying to set you up on a date, thinking it will ease your transition period...

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Protect Your Kids During Divorce by Staying Consistent

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Protect Your Kids During Divorce by Staying Consistent

Divorce takes a child's normal and flips it upside down. There is more research today available about the impact of divorce on kids than when my parents divorced when I was 10. "Helping Your kids Cope With Divorce the Sandcastles Way" is THE best resource I have found for parents as they navigate their way through parenting after divorce.

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Decrease Holiday Stress- Watch Your Spending

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Decrease Holiday Stress- Watch Your Spending

This week, we have shared some really helpful tips so far in ways to decrease Holiday stress, which helps each of us to enjoy the Holiday season better.  Today I'm going to go over ways we can continue the tradition of giving during the holiday season without stressing ourselves and our bank accounts. 

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Decrease Holiday Stress- Emotional Boundaries

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Decrease Holiday Stress- Emotional Boundaries

Clients tell me all the time, “I hate the holidays”. There are many stressors as people are attending family gatherings and trying to meet everyone’s expectations for the season. We hope reading this week helps you stay focused on making this holiday season less stressful! Keep your emotional boundaries firm

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How Do I Know if I’m Stressed? Part 3

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How Do I Know if I’m Stressed? Part 3

Stress has an effect on everyone, but not everyone finds the same events stressful. Yesterday Tammy mentioned a few areas where stress creeps up. It is important to realize what triggers stress in your life. Here are some more common stressors and suggestions on how to avoid them.

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How Fear Affects Your Family Life

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How Fear Affects Your Family Life

This week, Imagine Hope is honoring Halloween by discussing the different ways that (real) fear can have a negative impact on our lives.  

How does fear potentially impact our family system?

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Communicating Effectively with Your Partner - Stop Being Defensive

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Communicating Effectively with Your Partner - Stop Being Defensive

In addition to what Teri, Tammy, and Natalie spoke about in their blogs, here are 3 additional tips for effective communication I see are helpful when working with couples:

Reducing defensive responses when your partner gives you constructive criticism, or when your partner shares how they are feeling about something going on in the relationship. When you become defensive and reactive, you create an unsafe environment for your partner to share their feelings.

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What Does it Mean to “Let Go”? Part 3

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What Does it Mean to “Let Go”? Part 3

Some of us are better at letting go than others. We all struggle with this concept at some point during our lives. The sensation of holding on gives us this false sense of control, security, and drains us of our energy. Sometimes, we hold on anyway because we do not know how to let go. I hope this week gives you some hints as to how to make that happen.

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How to Forgive: Symbolism

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How to Forgive: Symbolism

As Natalie discussed yesterday in Part 4 of our blog series on forgiveness, it's important to try and hang onto forgiveness, once you have gone through the steps of the process.  While she discussed some different ways you can make the commitment to forgiveness, what happens if you are struggling with this, and the memories continue to come back?

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What is an Emotional Affair? Signs and Symptoms

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What is an Emotional Affair? Signs and Symptoms

There are many signs of emotional affairs, if you know what to look for.  While these signs can also be related to other life issues, as well as physical or sexual infidelity, there are some common themes to look for when dealing with an emotional affair…..

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What Does it Mean When You Have Abandonment Issues? Part 2

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What Does it Mean When You Have Abandonment Issues? Part 2

Have you heard someone say they suffer from abandonment issues? Most people think about adoption or being left on a door step as a child, but abandonment issues can be caused by many more life experiences.

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What Does it Mean When You Have Abandonment Issues? Part 1

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What Does it Mean When You Have Abandonment Issues? Part 1

Many times, our clients feel confusion when the term “abandonment issues” comes up in therapy. After all, don’t we most commonly think of the literal term, “abandonment”, as being physically abandoned (like an infant who is left on a door step for someone to find) ?

So, what exactly are abandonment issues? 

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How To Communicate Better Part 4

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How To Communicate Better Part 4

Teri, Tammy, and Natalie have all shared some great tips so far to making our communication better. Here are a few more to add to your "relationship toolbox":

Remember that communication breakdowns aren't always personal.  Many times the issue at hand is linked to some deep rooted unresolved issues.  Try to empathize with your partner as they are trying to heal from a painful past.