A Measure of Loss

When change happens, there’s always an element of loss no matter how slight. When I left teaching, I lost my students. When I moved, I left friends behind. When I changed churches, I missed my brothers and sisters… Read More

Growing Together Spiritually

As this new year gets underway, it may be a good time to revisit your spiritual needs—individually and as a couple—and discuss how can each of you can help meet those needs. As we grow and mature, our… Read More

Preparing for the Adventure of Change

It’s a new year, and I suspect there will be many changes in store for all of us—the good, the bad, and maybe even the ugly. Whether it’s in relationships, parenting, careers, schooling, church, moving, or more, each… Read More

Be-Attitudes for the New Year

Emotions, stress, expectations, and frustrations can easily find their way into the blending family life, so it’s important for you as a couple to try and address probable stressors ahead of time. Because our attitudes have a lot… Read More

Building Traditions That Bond

For blending families, there are a lot of “but we always did it this way” challenges that come during the Christmas season, whether it’s about food, gift giving, visiting and traveling, or even decorating. Younger children may adapt… Read More

When Christmases Clash

The Christmas season can reveal differences between the two of you that didn’t even know you had, and this time of year can even exacerbate the differences you already know you have. When you’re aware of your holiday… Read More

Talking About the Holidays

Lots of emotions, obligations, and sometimes unreasonable expectations come with the holidays, and when it comes to understanding those things, mind reading doesn’t often work too well during this time of year…or anytime, for that matter. So it’s critical… Read More

My Picture Book Critique Group

Each month I meet with my critique group, and I love it. Each of us is working specifically on picture books, and we are all learning a lot about this special area of writing. We hone each other’s work…. Read More

Like a Little Child

Children have so much to teach us. Last week I spent time with four young families. One had a newborn who slept peacefully in my arms while I gooed and giggled over every infant face she made. She… Read More

Susan’s picture books