Family Relationships

You found the man of your dreams, but he comes with children and an ex-wife who hates your guts for no reason. You are not alone.

There may come a time when you have endured a harmful and stressful family relationship, and you may wonder if cutting ties is right for you.

If you were a child who switched roles with her mom or dad—becoming the responsible caretaker, the attentive listener, and the wise counselor—you were parentified. You missed out on a happy, carefree childhood and may be suffering from depression, anger, and resentment because of it.

While bitching and moaning about our dysfunctional families can feel good and cathartic, it takes more to heal our pain and change our future. When I recognized my lineage of emotionally absent mothers, it empowered me to become an involved and empathetic parent to my two sons.

Look! Up in the Sky! It's a Bird...it's a Plane...it's your toxic mother-in-law!

Is the ex-wife holding the kids hostage on the holidays? Yes? This article is for you!

Grandparents should never underestimate how truly special there are in the life of a grandchild. They give the unconditional love and acceptance that nobody else does. They have the time, patience, and wisdom that moms and dads often lack. They can teach so much and add lots of fun and laughter.

Are you the black sheep of your family? Are you the one who takes all the blame? Learn why families label certain members this way, and how you can cope.

Adult children of healthy families don't just stop talking to their parents. Here are some of the reasons why a person walks away from a parent or stops including parents in their life.

The silent treatment and other weapons in your toxic mother-in-law's arsenal.

High conflict ex-wives frequently use the children as weapons by withholding visitation. This article outlines what you can do when it happens to you.

Puzzled about how to get the most out of your Ancestry DNA test? Here are some tips from an experienced genealogist.

When becoming a mother for the first time, I started having flashbacks to my painful childhood. Then, when my son was diagnosed with autism and my mother reacted with coldness and anger, I had to finally face the truth; I had grown up with an emotionally absent mother. This is how I began to heal.

When his ex-wife or girlfriend is toxic and high-conflict, your relationship can face many challenges. This article is a guide for any woman or stepmom who wishes to reduce the conflict in her life.

When a stepmom feels unappreciated for her contributions to a blended family, her physical and psychological health can be affected. This article is a guide for any woman or stepmom who wishes to reduce the stress in her life through disengagement.

If you're a caregiver for someone with dementia, one of the most important things you can do for your loved one is take care of yourself. Here are some simple things you can do to avoid burning out.