by Nancy | Jan 9, 2019
Is it okay to simply ask “are you okay?” Maybe we need to distinguish between the physical okay and the emotional okay. Obviously, if your toddler takes a tumble and starts to cry, the first thing you’re going to ask is if he’s okay. (Unless...
by Nancy | Jan 2, 2019
We all know a helicopter parent (one who hovers) and a tiger mom (one who roars), but now there’s a new type of parent, the lawn mower. The first time I’d ever heard this term was in a divorce mediation when the husband accused his wife of lawn mower...
by Nancy | Dec 26, 2018
In this, my last post for 2018, I want to get personal. No attempts at wisdom here, and no suggestions to help avoid or resolve conflicts. Instead, I’m writing about what matters to me, and what motivates me to improve. In a single word — relationships....
by Nancy | Dec 19, 2018
I have a friend whose husband sits in his recliner chair from the time he gets home from work until the time he goes to bed. She serves him dinner, fetches his beer, and hands him the remote control as soon as he sits down. She calls the circumference around the...
by Nancy | Dec 12, 2018
I know we’re all supposed to love the holidays, and I understand it’s a season of joy and giving, but sometimes, some things, and some people seem to piss me off more during this time than any other time in the year. Anyone with me? In this article, I am...
by Nancy | Dec 5, 2018
I used to work for an attorney who I’ll call “Leonard the Lunatic.” I must confess, I learned a lot from him, not the least of which was to love the Oxford comma. But I digress. Leonard the Lunatic was very quick to blame anyone and everyone. And one...
by Nancy | Nov 28, 2018
That small order of french fries won’t hurt. Having a second glass of red wine means twice the antioxidants. I’ll apologize next time I see him. These are some of the many lies I tell myself. Harmless? What do you think? In my mediation practice, I help...
by Nancy | Nov 21, 2018
What happens to the relationship between you and your grandchildren when their parents are involved in a bitter divorce? How can you stay in the lives of your grandchildren when your negative opinion of their mom is well-known? And can you do this without going to...
by Nancy | Nov 14, 2018
It’s almost Thanksgiving and back by popular demand, is my perspective on how to get through the holiday with some of your less-than-favorite people, the relatives. You might think there are only two options: avoidance or confrontation. But in true peacemaker...
by Nancy | Nov 7, 2018
I have a difficult time setting boundaries. As a result, I feel under-appreciated at best, and downright taken for granted at worst. Why is this so hard for me? Is it because of my birth order (youngest of three)? Is it because I like to think I’m a genuinely...
by Nancy | Oct 31, 2018
Recently, I was asked to list the top five reasons why mediation was a good choice to navigate the end of a relationship. Here’s my response: Reason Number 5: You can choose to have an attorney present at the mediation, and/or to review your agreement before...
by Nancy | Oct 24, 2018
Some labels are important. After all, I don’t want to grab a Merlot when I’m really looking for a Pinot Noir. But other than the important ones (like those on wine bottles), I dislike labels. I don’t like the scratchy ones on the inside of my...
