{3 minutes to read} A few weeks ago, I read an article in the New York Times by Jancee Dunn where she talks about the work of a couples’ therapist, Terrance Real, and how making assumptions about what the other person is thinking can escalate arguments, distort reality, and create worse problems between you and…
{4 minutes to read} In a previous article “Why Are We Afraid to Discuss Money?” we addressed the fear we may have when talking about finances. In this article, we will outline some small steps that you can take to start having those conversations. Couples living together make different financial arrangements between them. Some will…
{2 minutes to read} Talking about money with your partner is a subject frequently fraught with fear. For some people, it’s because they were raised in a family where money was never discussed. For others, these conversations always created a lot of tension within the family. I have worked with separating couples where one person…
{2 minutes to read} A separating or divorcing family needs to create a parenting plan to determine how they will share time with their children on weekdays, weekends, holidays, and vacations. It takes some effort to draw up these plans so that each parent can have meaningful time with them and ensure that transitions between…
{3 minutes to read} Does not reaching an agreement mean that the mediation process failed? The answer is no. Mediation has many benefits, even if you don’t come to full decisions. Coming to the mediation table indicates goodwill on the part of both parties to work together toward a resolution. You will get more clarity…
{4 minutes to read} Some parents wonder if it is important to inform their children’s school that they are getting a divorce. Here are some of the reasons why alerting the school will help your children: Should I tell my children’s school that we are getting a divorce? The answer is unequivocally yes. This may…
{2 minutes to read} Some people who meet me for the first time mention that they detect a slight accent in the way I speak, and they want to know where I come from. Having grown up in Paris, my first language was French, and so from there, I was immediately characterized as “French,” with all…
Many people talk about positive thinking and being a positive person, but it is easier said than done. When there is so much negativity around the world, it is sometimes hard to keep a positive attitude and face everything with a smile. On those days when you feel that all is bleak, dig deep within…
{3 minutes to read} Do you remember when your 2-year-old son fell and looked up at you before deciding whether to cry or not? Your response was to smile at him, pick him up and reassure him that he was ok. The child immediately felt better and kept the tears at bay. On their way…
Recently, I was interviewed by André Politzer on his podcast “You Change the World.” André, who juxtaposed his 25-year career as an executive and entrepreneur with a 15-year career as a coach for organizations and executives, is also trained as a mediator. As such, he promotes communication and conflict resolution in the workplace, as well…