Q: I am not sure that I fully understand this but apparently I had some trouble during the birth of our second-oldest child. Whatever happened, the end product is still the same — our son has cerebral palsy. He can walk and talk and do most everything but he does so slowly and of course […] Read more
Tag Archives Speaking of Life column — page 2
Assertiveness better response to bullies than violence
Q: Last week, our young son came home from the school playground with a bloody nose. This is not the first time this has happened. Apparently, two or three other boys in the neighbourhood are into bullying and using not only my son, but some of the other kids in the school as punching bags […] Read more
Learning to wait is a good way to become less impatient
Q: I am an impatient person. I don’t scream and shout or go on a tirade when I am upset but I let those around me know that I am less than satisfied with the way things are going. I fidget, pace, nag, breath with deep exasperation and sometimes clear my throat incessantly. Believe me, […] Read more
Discovering sense of identity can prevent dependencies
Q: Shortly after my youngest son was born his father was killed in an automobile accident. My son lost out on that one. He never did have a dad to follow around the farmyard, a dad with whom he could play catch, a dad who would take an interest in him or a dad to […] Read more
Counselling can provide strategies for managing temper
A: I have been told that it is just about time for me to knock the chip off my shoulder and settle down. I get wired pretty fast and not always for good cause. My wife says that often it is embarrassing for her to be with me and it is clear, from watching my […] Read more
Labelling alcoholism as a disease could be helpful step
Q: I do not think that anyone has any illusions other than that my late Uncle Fred was an alcoholic. There are no options. He drank too much and got into way too much trouble when he was drinking to think anything else. Actually, he was really disgusting. I was glad when I grew up […] Read more
Social support is vital for those recovering from addiction
Q: In a few days, I will be leaving to sign into a residential treatment program for alcohol and drug addictions. I am really excited about this. I have been clean for 17 days and what a relief it has been. To think of that as a possible way of life for me is great. […] Read more
Two-year-old children are embarrassing but not terrible
Q: My girlfriend and I are busy prepping ourselves for my son. Here is the deal. Shortly after my son was born his mom and I made an agreement that once he turned two years old we would sign off on joint custody, equal time, to raise him. Starting in just a few days, or […] Read more
Daydreaming can be productive way to better face the future
Q: We are convinced that our 12-year-old is the world’s greatest daydreamer. We have received notes regularly from his teachers over the years, saying that if our son paid more attention to the task at hand and spent less time in some kind of an imaginary world, he would be floating near the top of […] Read more
Successful relationship depends on trusting yourself
Q: A few weeks ago, I started dating what I consider to be a wonderful lady. She is great. We are already spending a lot of time together and the more time we are together, the better are those times. But I have a problem. My first marriage ended in infidelity. My wife at the […] Read more
