Quit Letting People Take Advantage of You, Manipulate You

I've always let people take advantage of me. I've been embarrassingly easy to manipulate. I have what IFS Growth Patterns calls "people pleaser pattern" personality. It stems from low self-esteem and an over-active conscience. I'm an empath. I can't divorce others' pain from mine. This weird melange has destroyed my mental health and ruined relationships. But I'm not letting it anymore. To heal, I'm getting out of the passenger seat and taking over the wheel of my life. This heals relationships, too. Here's how.  Quit Letting People Take Advantage of You, Manipulate You

Free (or Cheap) Mood Lifters, Stress Busters, Pick-Me-Ups

Depression. It's everywhere I look. Medicated or not, more people seem to getting less satisfaction from life. Here are free (or cheap) mood lifters and stress busters.

* Avoid drugs. I don't say this pedantically, but from painful experience. I took Paxil for several years. It caused health problems, didn't help depression and left me dull and listless. I believe it caused me to give birth to a stillborn baby. It was mentally addictive. I put on 100 pounds taking it. If you take antidepressants, get brand facts and don't expect a panacea.  Read more

Antidepressant Food Swaps to Beat Depression, Boost Mood

Depression is a real buzz-kill. It can also damage and destroy relationships. But it doesn't have to. Here's my story plus drug-free tips that work for me. I struggled with postpartum depression with all my children. Then I lost two stillborn babies and spiraled into major mood problems. I took the antidepressant Paxil which caused weight gain. Instead of improving, my depression became crippling. I quit antidepressants, but had gained 100 pounds and incurred numerous related health issues. I've since lost 68 pounds, reduced health problems and learned to treat depression naturally. Here are food swaps to eat and drink your way to a better mood.Antidepressant Food Swaps to Beat Depression, Boost Mood
 

Free Printable Bridal Shower, Bachelorette Party Games

Bridal showers are a blast to the throw, but party planning is expensive. I just dropped $250 on a bridal shower for my daughter and we went very frugal! Why not save money with free printable wedding shower games? Print bride and groom quizzes, bingo, trivia, memory, puzzles, advice and word games. Hosting a bachelorette party for the bride? We've got you covered with free printable party games, too. And as you'd expect from a ladies' night out party, some games are sexually explicit and based on drinking. Use discretion and play games at adult-only parties. Wedding Shower Games, Bachelorette Party Printables 

Tips for Dealing with Adult Cyberbullies, Bullying Behavior

Recently, I experienced cyberbullying via Facebook. It was traumatizing. I was embarrassed that at 48, I let a person get to me like that. But some good came out it. I learned valuable, first-hand lessons about dealing with bullies.

Understand bully behavior. Some bullies torment for for fun. They're overtly hateful and cruel. Mental illness may be involved. This kind is rare. Your garden variety bully is more covert. He's a coward, a crowd-follower. He may capable of niceness, but if his pack is bullying, he'll join in. Alone, he'd won't dare, unless he can do it secretly. He may bully when anxious or stressed. He's basically weak-minded, unprincipled, and lacking in coping skills and self-discipline. His response to trouble is self-pity, projection and punishing others. Be especially careful about falling for name-calling behavior. My bully called me a fat slob which she knew would hurt me as I'm trying (and succeeding at losing weight). She's also overweight herself, but hiding online no one knows it unless they know her in person. Don't let those digs get to you. Low blows are all part of bully modus operandi. Tips for Dealing with Cyberbullies, Bullying Behavior

Holy Week, Easter activities, bonding times for parents and children

 In the Catholic, Orthodox, some other Christian traditions, the penitential season of Lent is concluded with Palm Sunday leading into Holy Week and culminating on Easter Sunday. This most sacred and somber week includes the Easter Triduum, with Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday or Easter Vigil. I converted to Catholicism 19 years ago and homeschooled our four children for 10 years. My children tell me that some of their favorite memories center on our Holy Week observances. For families looking for the full Palm Sunday-to-Easter experience, here are activities from my journey to guide you. These activities have merit for non-Catholics, as they help bring families closer together.Holy Week, Easter activities for parents and children

Living with Active Addiction: Understanding Addict Behavior

I've lived with addicts all my life and been codependent to many forms of addiction. I've made every mistake in the book (and invented some). I'm working a program of recovery from codependent behavior. This is what I've learned about active addiction behavior. Living with Active Addiction: Understanding Addict Behavior

Living with Active Addiction: Getting Well, Staying Healthy Amid Chaos

Living with addiction in any form-- alcohol, religious, rage, money, sex, overeating, smoking--is miserable. I've played codependent to many. Addiction is cunning, baffling and powerful. I've made every mistake in the book (and invented some). Most of my dysfunctional coping mechanisms were learned in childhood and I'm working to recover from them. Here's what to expect in codependent recovery.  Living with Active Addiction: Staying Healthy Amid Chaos

Attachment Parenting School Age Kids and Tweens

When people speak of attachment parenting, they're usually referring to infants or preschool kids. But the commitment to this type of parenting carries over to older kids too. Speaking as a mom who's in her 25th year attachment parenting, here's how it worked for us with school-age kids and tweens (preteen kids under 13). Attachment Parenting School Age Kids and Tweens

Should Parents Add Kids' Friends on Facebook?

The short answer to this title question is "no." The long answer is a little more complicated but remains a clear negative. Here's why. Facebook and social networks are bubbles whose ramifications on relationships have yet to be defined. What's appropriate and what's not? There are grey areas in digital interactions, particularly with kids. One hot button topic is whether adults should add kids to their Facebook account. Is there anything wrong with parents "friending" their kids' friends? There can be. Here's how. Should Parents Add Kids' Friends on Facebook?