REMEMBER, IT’S THE HOLIDAY SEASON!

Part 8: Maybe It’s Not a Marital Problem…Maybe It’s a Holiday Problem

I have spent the month of December focusing upon the not-so-uncommon malaise of the Holiday False Alarm Syndrome, which predictably rears its ugly head each year in many households. And–not unlike Shakespeare’s Richard the III’s complaint of “now is the winter of our discontent”–many couples feel like war-weary veterans,

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REMEMBER, IT’S THE HOLIDAY SEASON!

Part 7: Maybe It’s Not a Marital Problem…Maybe It’s a Holiday Problem

Now that Christmas and Hanukkah are behind us, and New Year’s Day 2017 is fast approaching, many couples who experience annual stress-related marital holiday issues will resume breathing more deeply and much easier once again. As the well-known predictors of too many expectations and not enough sleep subside (coupled with too much food and alcohol and not enough exercise and quiet meditation/prayer time),

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REMEMBER, IT’S THE HOLIDAY SEASON!

Part 5: Maybe It’s Not a Marital Problem…Maybe It’s a Holiday Problem

Last week I discussed the six questions I ask my clients to reflectively/thoughtfully respond to in writing, when I feel The Holiday Marital False Alarm Syndrome may be driving their relational discord. Perhaps most importantly, I request that neither spouse reveal his/her responses to the other in advance of our shared meeting together in my office.

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Part 4: Maybe It’s Not a Marital Problem…Maybe It’s a Holiday Problem

In my last blog posting, I listed the six questions I request clients to reflect upon and carefully respond to, when I feel they are not yet a divorce-ready couple (for a review, please refer to Part 3 of this December’s postings). Before a second appointment with me,

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REMEMBER, IT’S THE HOLIDAY SEASON!

Part 3: Maybe It’s Not a Marital Problem…Maybe It’s a Holiday Problem

As promised from the end of last week’s blog posting, let’s explore if you are inclined to suffer from a predictable holiday blues cycle each year: aka The Holiday Marital False Alarm Syndrome (HMFAS).

The place to begin is with an honest personal inventory.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-CARE IN THE MIDST OF DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS

Part 8: The Imperative of Self-Care for Divorcing Parents During the Holidays: Recap

Thanksgiving is now firmly upon us, and it is always daunting how swiftly the days and hours flow together this time of year. The more frequent overcast skies, the ever reducing daylight, and the interruption of regular school and work schedules for the holiday season all collude to challenge everyone’s equilibrium.

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