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Boredom

It's Time to (Finally) Kick Multitasking to the Curb

Peg Streep on March 19, 2023

We may like to think that we're superb multitaskers, but science knows better. It's time to give up the fantasy.

We may like to think that we're superb multitaskers, but science knows better. It's time to give up the fantasy.

Family Dynamics

Can Ruptured Adult Sibling Relationships Be Healed?

Peg Streep on March 12, 2023

Many people believe that sibling closeness is a given, but the reality is actually very different.

Many people believe that sibling closeness is a given, but the reality is actually very different.

Relationships

5 Kinds of Blame-Shifting, and Why They Work

Peg Streep on February 14, 2023

While some forms of verbal abuse are easier to see, blame-shifting can be hard to identify. Here's how an abuser makes it all work.

While some forms of verbal abuse are easier to see, blame-shifting can be hard to identify. Here's how an abuser makes it all work.

Parenting

6 Ways to Minimize Adult Child-Parent Tensions

Peg Streep on February 4, 2023

More and more parents are actively involved in their adult children's lives, but there's also been an uptick in familial estrangement. Here's how to navigate the waters.

More and more parents are actively involved in their adult children's lives, but there's also been an uptick in familial estrangement. Here's how to navigate the waters.

Divorce

Unpacking the Myths and Truths of Stepmothering

Peg Streep on January 28, 2023

While much is written about how divorce affects children, the behavior of a stepmother can influence a child positively and negatively. Take a look beyond the myths.

While much is written about how divorce affects children, the behavior of a stepmother can influence a child positively and negatively. Take a look beyond the myths.

Relationships

The Real Problem With "Tough Love"

Peg Streep on January 9, 2023

Recognizing verbal abuse can be difficult—and the idea of "tough love" can make it even harder.

Recognizing verbal abuse can be difficult—and the idea of "tough love" can make it even harder.

Relationships

Why Hypercriticality Is a Form of Verbal Abuse

Peg Streep on December 8, 2022

Do you know the line between verbal abuse and criticizing someone, especially a child, for his or her actions? You may actually not.

Do you know the line between verbal abuse and criticizing someone, especially a child, for his or her actions? You may actually not.

Gaslighting

4 Reasons Why Some People Are More Vulnerable to Gaslighting

Peg Streep on November 29, 2022

Gaslighting has become a "thing" these days, but do you really know how it works and whether you're likely to be a target?

Gaslighting has become a "thing" these days, but do you really know how it works and whether you're likely to be a target?

Stress

6 Ways to Get Through the Holidays in One Piece

Peg Streep on November 14, 2022

Does your stomach knot up when you think about the holiday season? If so, you've actually got plenty of company. These hacks could help you emerge relatively unscathed.

Does your stomach knot up when you think about the holiday season? If so, you've actually got plenty of company. These hacks could help you emerge relatively unscathed.

Relationships

How Verbal Abusers Maintain the Upper Hand

Peg Streep on November 11, 2022

Why is it that people tolerate being verbally abused? Do they not see what's going on? Or is the verbal abuser just too good at what they do?

Why is it that people tolerate being verbally abused? Do they not see what's going on? Or is the verbal abuser just too good at what they do?

Relationships

3 Ways Verbal Abusers Control and Derail Discussions

Peg Streep on October 24, 2022

Are you and your partner, spouse, or friend on a hamster wheel when it comes to actually resolving your differences? Taking a close look at some toxic patterns.

Are you and your partner, spouse, or friend on a hamster wheel when it comes to actually resolving your differences? Taking a close look at some toxic patterns.

Relationships

4 Reasons Parent/Child Reconciliation Is Often Impossible

Peg Streep on October 11, 2022

Even though adult children often long to reconcile with their parents, it's not very likely to happen. Here's a close look at what stands in the way of healing family fractures.

Even though adult children often long to reconcile with their parents, it's not very likely to happen. Here's a close look at what stands in the way of healing family fractures.

Relationships

Why Brinksmanship Is a Form of Verbal Abuse

Peg Streep on September 20, 2022

We know that name-calling, put-downs, stonewalling, and shaming are all forms of verbal abuse. But what about brinksmanship? A close look at a toxic pattern.

We know that name-calling, put-downs, stonewalling, and shaming are all forms of verbal abuse. But what about brinksmanship? A close look at a toxic pattern.

Parenting

How Adult Children Can Set Boundaries With Their Parents

Peg Streep on September 6, 2022

More parents are involved in their adult children's lives than ever before. But there are often real costs and a risk of weakening, not strengthening, familial ties.

More parents are involved in their adult children's lives than ever before. But there are often real costs and a risk of weakening, not strengthening, familial ties.

Relationships

5 Reasons Someone Might Stay in a Verbally Abusive Relationship

Peg Streep on August 17, 2022

The adage about sticks and stones couldn't be more wrong. So why do so many people stay in relationships that involve verbal abuse? Research holds some answers.

The adage about sticks and stones couldn't be more wrong. So why do so many people stay in relationships that involve verbal abuse? Research holds some answers.

Parenting

After Family Estrangement, How to Deal With People's Judgments

Peg Streep on July 20, 2022

While research shows that adult child/parent estrangement isn't uncommon, it remains a cultural taboo. Here's how to deal with others' reactions.

While research shows that adult child/parent estrangement isn't uncommon, it remains a cultural taboo. Here's how to deal with others' reactions.

Relationships

6 Sources of Tension Between Adult Children and Their Parents

Peg Streep on July 6, 2022

On the whole, parents are more involved in their adult children's lives now than in earlier generations. Let's consider the possible downsides of such involvement.

On the whole, parents are more involved in their adult children's lives now than in earlier generations. Let's consider the possible downsides of such involvement.

Parenting

Coming to Terms With Dad

Peg Streep on June 13, 2022

The Commandment says to honor your mother and father but, somehow, calling Dad out for abusive behavior is easier than calling out Mom. A look at possible roles toxic fathers play.

The Commandment says to honor your mother and father but, somehow, calling Dad out for abusive behavior is easier than calling out Mom. A look at possible roles toxic fathers play.

Adoption

The Unloving Adoptive Mother: Playing Favorites

Peg Streep on June 3, 2022

Consciously aware parents do what they can to avoid playing favorites. But favoritism is a huge problem in many families, including adoptive ones, and can damage a child on many levels.

Consciously aware parents do what they can to avoid playing favorites. But favoritism is a huge problem in many families, including adoptive ones, and can damage a child on many levels.

Parental Alienation

When a Toxic Mother Tries to Co-opt or Alienate Her Daughter's Child

Peg Streep on May 30, 2022

We tend to think of grandmothers as universally benign and loving but there are meaningful exceptions to the rule. Taking a look at how abusive mothers try to stay in control.

We tend to think of grandmothers as universally benign and loving but there are meaningful exceptions to the rule. Taking a look at how abusive mothers try to stay in control.