RELATIONSHIP STRESS!

Tax bills, kids, work, inlaws....there are all sorts of ways that stress can enter a relationship. Watch Monday as I talk about how to give your relationship "shock absorbers" on Cleveland's Good Company (WKYC-TV, 10:00-11:00 am EST). If you can't watch live, check back here Monday afternoon and I'll post a link to the interview.

If you have specific questions for me, post them any time!

Take care,

Susan

TRUE COURAGE

My husband and I attended the Heartthrob Ball this past weekend for the Children's Hospital in Cleveland. Any time you think you're having a tough day, take a walk down the hallways of any Children's hospital and you'll be reminded what true courage is. Four kids were honored for their courage and their stories are simply remarkable. Congrats to the families who support them and the doctors and staff who care for them. Bravo! As many of you know, I have a deep interest in the topic of resiliency - especially in teaching kids to cultivate the skill. We all have a lot to learn from the life stories shared with us this very special evening. Thank you again!

MEAN GIRLS WORKSHOP

Thanks to everyone in Clarkston, Washington and neighboring communities who attended my Mean Girls Workshop! This was my second visit since December and I appreciate working with people who care so deeply about understanding the topic of relational aggression. A special thank you to Carmel Donohue for arranging my workshops.

Regarding the questions I received about making the Circle of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. program available nationwide - it's in the works! By June 1, the Educator Package will be available so anyone can offer and facilitate the same curriculum. It will include the facilitator's guide, reproducible handouts, CD training, conversation card deck and more. Keep checking my website for updates. Until then, if you have any questions or discussion items, please post them here.

Take care,

Susan

2011 Update! See below for a number of resources that I've developed since this original post:

Circle of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Facilitator's Guide

BFF! (Except When We're Not) DVD

BFF! (Except When We're Not) E-Seminar

Dealing with Mean Girls: A Parent's Guide to Helping Girls Develop Healthy Friendships

After "I Do"

What do you say after, "I do"? Watch my relationship segment from today's Good Company.

Big weddings are fun, but marriage is a process, not an event! Invest as much energy into your marriage as you do planning your wedding day, and you'll be on your way to a successful union.

By the way, if you can spend thousands for a dress, flowers, cake, and decorations, why not spend a couple of hundred dollars in pre-marital counseling? You'll be investing something to last a lifetime versus one day. If you are considering getting married, I strongly encourage you to make an appointment. You can reach me through Lakeshore Educational & Counseling Services (440) 963-0402 or 800-600-5327.

All the best!

Susan

NEWLYWED TO LONGTIME WED

What does it take to make marriage last? I'll be sharing tips Monday March 12th on WKYC TV's Good Company (10:00-11:00 AM, Cleveland). If you can't watch the program live, check back here Monday afternoon and I'll provide a video link.

Meanwhile, if you're engaged or have been married less than a year, and want to know how to keep the fire going - post your questions here!

Have a great weekend,

Susan

NOW HIRING! (YOUR KIDS)

I just read an interesting article in the WSJ (3/5/07, Page B4) called "Hiring Becomes a Family Affair." Apparently some companies are embracing the trend of helicopter parents by courting them in order to hire their kids. For example, Merrill Lynch invited both parents and students to an open house, gave tours, and allowed parents to ask questions in hopes they would push their kids to accept an internship. Employers say this strategy cuts down on parental over-involvement later since parents were involved early on.

While I admire the savvy creativity of companies embracing a trend, I'm concerned that some parents are still orchestrating their children's lives post college. I can't tell you how many clients I see in their late twenties and thirties who are dissatisfied with their lives, mostly because they lived it for their parents rather than by their own choices. Or, these same individuals cannot solve everyday problems because their parents have always stepped in and saved them.

Save your kid a quarter-life crisis! Offer guidance; coach them with skills, but let them make their own career decisions. Making mistakes is part of the learning process. Let them discover what interests them, what it takes to live independently, how to negotiate relationships. Wisdom comes from both factual and experiential learning. Parents don't have the right to take that away from their children.

Agree or disagree? I'm interested in your comments.

PRE-CONFERENCE QUESTIONS FOR TRI-STATE

I'm excited to be presenting for the third year at the Tri-State Camping Conference! I'll be delivering three workshops:

Stressed-Out Girls
Coaching Skills for Managers
Building Team Communication

I invite conference attendees to post any questions or challenging situations that you would like addressed. I will be sure to include them in my presentations. I'm looking forward to seeing you all.

-Susan