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Family Prep

Coping with new adult, and middle adulthood issues. How to handle relationship woes, infertility, communication issues, career stress, life fulfillment and more.

Fear
Why Resisting Our Feelings Makes Us Feel Worse

Stephanie Cox MS on June 5, 2024

Avoidance is a short-term solution that has long-term effects. Acceptance, however, can grow our zone of tolerance and improve our quality of life.

Avoidance is a short-term solution that has long-term effects. Acceptance, however, can grow our zone of tolerance and improve our quality of life.

Relationships
How to Hear 'Hurt' From Our Partner

Stephanie Cox MS on April 10, 2024

One of the greatest skills you can learn for yourself and your partner is to listen to your partner’s pain in a healing way for you both. Hearing hurt is a crucial skill.

One of the greatest skills you can learn for yourself and your partner is to listen to your partner’s pain in a healing way for you both. Hearing hurt is a crucial skill.

Fear
Is Change Possible? For Me? What if I’m Afraid?

Stephanie Cox MS on February 6, 2024

Change is all around us, all the time. The seasons, our bodies, our politicians; we cannot avoid it. However, one of the most common questions is: Can I change? Let's see.

Change is all around us, all the time. The seasons, our bodies, our politicians; we cannot avoid it. However, one of the most common questions is: Can I change? Let's see.

Anxiety
Comfort and Comforting Yourself: What It Is and Isn't

Stephanie Cox MS on December 31, 2023

Our definition of comfort needs a facelift. Comforting is not making everything "better," it's acknowledging that better is not where we are right now and that is OK.

Our definition of comfort needs a facelift. Comforting is not making everything "better," it's acknowledging that better is not where we are right now and that is OK.

Boundaries
Setting Boundaries in Our Social Lives

Stephanie Cox MS on November 30, 2023

Social engagements bring joy, but they can also create stress. We protect ourselves and others by setting and maintaining boundaries within these interactions.

Social engagements bring joy, but they can also create stress. We protect ourselves and others by setting and maintaining boundaries within these interactions.

Forgiveness
The Art of an Apology

Stephanie Cox MS on October 11, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Knowing how to apologize is a key to lasting relationships. Knowing how to apologize effectively can deepen your bonds and heal hurts quickly.

A Personal Perspective: Knowing how to apologize is a key to lasting relationships. Knowing how to apologize effectively can deepen your bonds and heal hurts quickly.

Friends
I Put Up the Boundary: Why Do I Still Feel Bad?

Stephanie Cox MS on July 12, 2023

Boundaries help protect us, but they can also feel hard to implement. How we think about boundaries and cope with grief can make us better people and friends.

Boundaries help protect us, but they can also feel hard to implement. How we think about boundaries and cope with grief can make us better people and friends.

Embarrassment
Managing Embarrassment

Stephanie Cox MS on May 10, 2023

No one likes being embarrassed, but some people seem to handle it with more grace than others. How can we get there too?

No one likes being embarrassed, but some people seem to handle it with more grace than others. How can we get there too?

Personality
Sharing Home and Life Responsibilities With Your Partner

Stephanie Cox MS on January 3, 2023

Who does most of the work in your household? How to discuss responsibility sharing in your relationship and preserve the respect, sanity, and sanctity of your love.

Who does most of the work in your household? How to discuss responsibility sharing in your relationship and preserve the respect, sanity, and sanctity of your love.

Race and Ethnicity
Shouldn't I Be More Established by Now?

Stephanie Cox MS on November 10, 2022

Comparison is socially acceptable and personally devastating. How do we live with this innate human habit while still meeting our goals and being content with who we are?

Comparison is socially acceptable and personally devastating. How do we live with this innate human habit while still meeting our goals and being content with who we are?

Fear
What Are We Even Fighting About?

Stephanie Cox MS on October 31, 2022

Circular fights over seemingly "nothing" can drain a relationship of goodwill and joy. Get out of the cycle and into real communication by uncovering your unmet needs.

Circular fights over seemingly "nothing" can drain a relationship of goodwill and joy. Get out of the cycle and into real communication by uncovering your unmet needs.

Embarrassment
How We Shame Our Children and How to Stop

Stephanie Cox MS on July 12, 2022

Shaming is present in many families and can be part of a cycle from our own childhoods. How we spot shame and how we stop it is our door out of patterns we want to break.

Shaming is present in many families and can be part of a cycle from our own childhoods. How we spot shame and how we stop it is our door out of patterns we want to break.

Parenting
What Technology Is Doing to Kids

Stephanie Cox MS on June 17, 2022

It's common knowledge that too much technology is bad for kids. But why? Read on for the possible risks and what you can do about them.

It's common knowledge that too much technology is bad for kids. But why? Read on for the possible risks and what you can do about them.

Parenting
Parenting Pressures: When to Establish Good Boundaries

Stephanie Cox MS on May 20, 2022

Parenting pressure can come from all sides. When we feel the ever-encroaching opinions of others begin to wrap around us, that is a cue to step back and check our boundaries.

Parenting pressure can come from all sides. When we feel the ever-encroaching opinions of others begin to wrap around us, that is a cue to step back and check our boundaries.

Parenting
"Am I Screwing Up My Kids?"

Stephanie Cox MS on April 18, 2022

You’re not a failure as a parent as long as you keep going and remember that every interaction is an opportunity for teaching—even the messy ones.

You’re not a failure as a parent as long as you keep going and remember that every interaction is an opportunity for teaching—even the messy ones.