I have a lot of personal experience with transition–I’ve lived in eight states (including the “foreign” island state of Hawaii and two countries), and I can say with certainty that, however exciting change can be, it’s also extraordinarily stressful.

Currently, our family is in the midst of another transition–preparing for our (hopefully) FINAL move in just a few months. And, I’m reminded again of how our “normal” personalities seem to disappear and our…

I have a lot of personal experience with transition–I’ve lived in eight states (including the “foreign” island state of Hawaii and two countries), and I can say with certainty that, however exciting change can be, it’s also extraordinarily stressful.

Currently, our family is in the midst of another transition–preparing for our (hopefully) FINAL move in just a few months. And, I’m reminded again of how our “normal” personalities seem to disappear and our…

I can’t tell you haw many times I hear this before a mediation: “Well, I’ll come … but I really don’t think we can come to ad agreement.”

And you know what?

More often than not, this person , who was so resolute about their prediction of a mediation outcome was … to but it simply … WRONG!!

So, why do people view the prospects of a positive outcome so poorly? Well here are some of my thoughts on that:

First, they are the ones embroiled…

It’s been pretty dreary here in Chicago, this winter. Which, in our family, means movie season!

So, I dragged the kids to see “Into the Woods,” and it didn’t disappoint (but, that’s besides the point!). In the movie, the adult characters repeat the same mantra to “Little Red Riding Hood,” which is “nice doesn’t always mean good.”

I’m sure the screenwriters didn’t expect the mediator in the audience (me) to ponder what he meant for the next hour and…

Today, we celebrate and honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an amazing man who advanced the African-American Civil Rights Movement through non-violent civil disobedience.

How surprised and sad I was when I read that his children are embroiled in a legal battle over Dr. King’s  personal Bible and his Nobel Peace Prize medal (which he was awarded in October of 1964). They are expected…

I’ve always been a sucker for “Freakonomics” type books, and I recently read one that, frankly, opened my eyes quite a bit. Titled, “The Why Axis,” this book is all about the data behind certain myths. And, the authors tackled one of the biggest myths out there: Women aren’t as competitive as men.

The idea that women are inherently less competitive as men is something I’ve wondered about ever since my first child was born. She is…

I hope I haven’t put off all of the potential readers of this post who are men … because of the picture I chose. Believe me … this post applies to you too. And I bet a lot of women would agree with me.

So, here’s what happened.

I have been going to the same hairdresser for several years now. And most of the time, it seems like we communicate pretty well.

I’m not one of those people who makes dramatic hair color changes but I do have to cover up those…

I knew it would happen: Just a week after all three of my children came down with the flu, I found myself with a fever, chills, and laid up in bed.And, we all know what that means–junk T.V.! Well, I happened to turn on “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce,” and, as you probably guessed, it’s about divorce. In one episode, the main character and her husband decided to go through divorce mediation. However, after mentioning this to a friend, who shows up but the friend’s…

Taking sides in a conflict, no matter what it is, is the easiest part.  Moving beyond it is hard.Why did I start thinking about this today? Because the Nevada legislature is a mere 28 days away from commencement. And on Saturday, I read a great article in the New York Times entitled:…

It’s 2015!!!

I love the thought of a New Year. I can’t help but think of all the “new” things associated with it: new possibilities, new adventures, and new challenges.I also love thinking of the New Year as a time to be “out with the old.” I have clients who are committed to ending dysfunctional relationships on Dec. 31, and I know others who are ready to say…