{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…
{2 minutes to read} Separating or divorcing parents don’t always see eye to eye when creating parenting schedules or discussing how to divide their property. Occasionally, as they say, they get “stuck.” Each party thinks their position is the one that should be adopted and refuses to consider the other person’s request. While it is…
{2 minutes to read} Acclaimed mediator, co-founder of Harvard’s Program on Negotiation, and bestselling author William Ury was asked by a friend, “Do you think you could sum up the essence of all you’ve learned in one sentence? What can help us in these times of intense conflict?” Ury’s answer to the question was recently…
{2 minutes to read} Emotions can run very high during the divorce process, especially when having overly sensitive conversations where you push each other’s buttons as you discuss issues of disagreement. Both of you start arguing, talking loudly over one another. No one can hear anything anymore. It is time to stop and catch your breath.…
{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…
{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…
{4:06 minutes to read} In the early ‘60s, Marshall Rosenberg (1934-2015), an American psychologist, teacher, and author, developed Nonviolent Communication, a process for supporting partnership and resolving conflict within people, in relationships, and in society. He worked as a peacemaker and founded the Center for Nonviolent Communication, an international non-profit organization, for which he served…
{2 minutes to read} Have you ever tried to convince someone that your position is better than their position? How did that work out? In an article published in the New York Times on January 31, 2021, Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist at the Wharton School, writes about the best way to approach those who think…