Search Results for: blog the myth of a normal life finding peace

Resist the Urge to Think Things Are NOT Normal

I think we live in a time where just about everything can be considered a “problem”—when it comes to our children’s behaviors, it is hard enough to know what is typical, what they will outgrow, and what we should worry about. Before you panic and assume that things are abnormal, it might be a better idea to assume things are normal—until proven otherwise. Of course, my usual disclaimer is that I am NOT a psychologist or an official parenting expert and most of my philosophies are based on anecdotal experience, but I have found that most things really are normal … Continue reading →

Visualize Your Way to a Peaceful Family

The other day I wrote about how single parent families do not have to fall into the myth of constant chaos. It dawned on me that wanting to find more peace and tranquility in our family situations and actually being able to make it happen are two different things! But, I do believe that the first step is to actually get a clear mental picture or image of what you would like your single parent family to be like… We can get so caught up in the stress and tensions of reality that we cannot see beyond that. As single … Continue reading →

What is Normal Anyway?

A married couple with three children, a single mom with two children, a couple together for the last eight years with one child. Which of these is a “normal family”? Each person is bound to choose given their own life experiences as well as the influences that have been applied through out their life. Most people however, would choose the married couple with three children. So, what if we give a little more detail about each family? The husband of the married couple is an alcoholic and is suffering from depression. He has received several DUI’s and will be heading … Continue reading →

Overheard From a New Mother on Line: “When Is My Life Supposed to Return to Normal?”

I wanted to interrupt. I wanted to step in like some bossy, snoopy, old Mrs. Kravitz (the nosey neighbor on “Bewitched”) and tell this sweet young mother that her life was NOT going to return to any old version of normal—instead, parenthood was going to bring constantly changing, newer and newer, unpredictable versions of normal… But who am I to offer unsolicited advice, really? I still wonder what my life will be like in a few years when my kids have all flown the coop, what things might have been like had they turned out differently, and what grown up … Continue reading →

Single Parent Families Don’t Have to be Chaotic

There is a myth out there that families headed by single parents are overly-chaotic and full of drama and crisis. Well, I think all families have the potential to be full of drama and chaos, and while the single parent family may be born out of painful chaos–we don’t have to stay in that state. We can let go of all that crisis and chaos and, after moving through transitions, establish a calm, peaceful and stable family life… I think that as single parent families, our capacity for chaos can be expanded. Then, we just get so used to it … Continue reading →