Hearing Out Life Drama Blog

What do you do when mistakes happen? Because they will.

Every adult knows that no matter how well things are planned, something is bound to go wrong eventually. It could be a missed school project, a forgotten appointment, or an overlooked chore....

“Let’s all smash clay pots together in our minds. Picture this: we’re on a large, open slab of concrete in a calm, scenic place. Surrounding us are hundreds of clay pots, and we’re all allowed to smash as many as we want....

Bullying is rampant in American culture today. It’s a problem that stretches far beyond schoolyards and playgrounds. While we often think of bullying as something that only happens to children, the reality is much more complex. In fact,...

When you think of a creative person, what comes to mind? Perhaps you envision an artist painting a masterpiece, a musician composing a symphony, or a writer crafting a novel. These are, of course, quintessential examples of creativity. But what if...

Just as a snow fence helps channel snow to where it will do the best good and least harm, so do boundaries help us in our daily personal and professional lives. Boundaries are more than just barriers; they are a form of self-care. They help us...

Horns honk, crowds bustle, kids shout—life is noisy and fast-paced, and it can be overwhelming. Every day, news articles point out the harm of that stress. But as someone living in this world, what can you do about it?

Finding Calm with...

“I want to hit the trifecta.  Time, money and the health to enjoy it,” a friend said to me.  While the trifecta may be out of reach, there’s much good to be found in retirement.  This blog post will reflect on the...

The time has come.  The ones you’ve nurtured to adulthood are about to be on their own.  

Encouraging Independence: Letting Them Find Their Way on Their Own

When our children grow up and move out, they will be confronted with...

If they haven’t yet, schools will be starting up soon. And parents everywhere want their children to be able to learn their best. This article will focus on one aspect that you can take to help your student in all subjects, regardless of...

Yesterday, I started to have mean words come out of my mouth, and I stopped myself.  The people in the room said, “Say it.”  Which took me back.  I knew they were being honest asking for my truth.  I reiterated...

What is Scaffolding for Teens

I once heard psychologist Aimee Yermish use this example from The Princess Bride to explain scaffolding in a presentation.  She was using the idea of teaching young people to make telephone calls.  

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It was fun to play with two tin cans and a string to communicate with our friends when we were young.  Even though we could usually hear them without the cans.  As adults, however, communication can be more...

This is a feeling that doesn’t just happen when you’re a kid.  In fact, it’s so common that Time magazine wrote about it in 2016, and in recent days it’s a common theme it’s popped up again in social media. ...

“I need to go to the hospital.”

“I’ll be there in 45 minutes.” Which meant she was walking out the door as she was talking. I was having complications in my second pregnancy. She came to get my older daughter, so that...

Noah Kahan sings,  “I’m still angry at my parents for what their parents did to them”

My mother was always so angry at her parents, especially her mother, so this line resonates with me. I’d like to think each...

“You never write. You never call.”  Some parents say this to their adult children. It’s an expression of powerlessness. If the complaint is offered repetitively, it’s no wonder they don’t initiate contact!

What...

The world seems very divided these days. Wars are evidence of it. Our political climate is evidence of it. A rise in anger is evidence as well. It seems like a very good time to emphasize the importance of listening. It’s hard to stay angry...

Most of us are quick to say that our desire for our children is that they are happy.  The funny thing is, we can’t create happy for them.  

Have you ever noticed that when you are around a happy person, you usually start to...

In the last month, there’s been a meme that’s blown up.  It began with the simple question: Would you rather your daughter be in the woods with an unknown man or an unknown bear.  It morphed into “would you rather...

In our society right now, men have been conditioned to believe that they shouldn’t have or express strong emotions. While this has shifted somewhat during my lifetime, we still have a ways to go. Men are humans, and as such are entitled to...

I’ve been on several podcasts recently, and I’ve shared the experience of being a young child in the car.  My parents had a disagreement after an incident with another driver.  My parent driving erupted in rage.  The car...

On this Mother’s Day, Linda and I wanted to acknowledge that not everyone experiences the 

stereotypical image of a mother-daughter relationship–close, warm, sharing, loving. It certainly is an ideal relationship.

Everybody has a...

Empathy is increasingly recognized as a crucial component of effective workplace dynamics. But is there such a thing as too much empathy? I was asked during a Q&A portion of a presentation I recently gave if it was possible to offer too much...

In today's interconnected world, it's easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. Whether it's scrolling through social media feeds or observing our peers in real life, the temptation to measure our worth against others can be...