Those trained in presentation skills have been told time and time again that people pick up more communication cues from our body language than our verbal communication. At www.typesofcommunication.org they explain that verbal communication has four purposes. Four Purposes Of Communication There are four basic purposes for communication. Almost all of these purposes are better served [...]
The Step Family Dialogues From Struggles to Strategies: Chapter 1
April 27, 2012 By
Step/Blended Family Mediation incorporates a system I developed over the past few years in which I combine Step Family Coaching with Family Mediation Techniques and assist the Couple first to get on the “same page” and then they can bring the other family members into mediation. I have had the privilege of working with a variety of step families [...]
Step Families are NOT Blended Families
March 2, 2012 By
I was presenting a workshop on the Conflict and Confusion of Newly Formed Stepfamilies to a group of Mediators. As I was making reference to “Stepfamilies” during the presentation, one women in particular appeared uncomfortable every time I mentioned the word “Stepfamily”. Finally she spoke up and asked “Why are you referring to these families as [...]
10 Ways to deal with Negative or Difficult People
February 24, 2012 By
Believe me when I say that in my line of work there can be a lot of negativity and difficult people. After all, when couples decide to divorce they are not having warm and fuzzy conversations! However, besides the stressful situations that can drag us down or bum us out, there are just some people [...]
Stepfamily vs Nuclear Family – Subtle Differences = Huge Impact
February 21, 2012 By
When stepfamilies come for mediation sessions, one of the exercises I do is have them evaluate how they are different to Nuclear families. Why is this important? It is human nature to take things for granted - not because we don’t appreciate but because it is our “Norm”. Just think for a moment of growing up in your family [...]
Need to change your children’s visitation schedule?
November 22, 2011 By
With the holiday season fast approaching, it can be a real challenge juggling office parties, friend’s gatherings and school vacation. It is difficult enough sharing time with your children with your former spouse but if you are in a Step Family the scheduling challenges can be even more daunting as you try to arrange time together as a stepfamily and alone time with your children and “Couple” [...]
Stepfather Frustrations start with Expectations
November 14, 2011 By
Let me start by asking any Stepfathers out there the following questions; 1. When you formed your relationship, did you give it any thought as to what you expected to gain from it? 2. What kind of relationship did you think you would have with your stepchildren? 3. How long did you expect it would [...]
Casting call for all Vancouver Stepfamilies
August 20, 2011 By
I received a call from HGTV - They have a new show premiering this fall called CONSUMED and are looking for families who need help decluttering their home and their lives. This is not a Hoarders show but rather a show about regular families who just need help organizing their home to make it functional and livable. Among the many [...]
Step Family Life – Fantasies of Happiness fade quickly
July 18, 2011 By
Are you in a recently formed Step Family? Do you feel positive and optimistic that your family will simply gush happiness, fun, togetherness and exude absolute family amazingness?(Is that even a word?) I hate to be the bearer of bad news but if you are recently formed and your family demonstrates all these wonderful traits… It probably won’t last. [...]
Divorce and Step Family Studies – Do they still apply?
June 20, 2011 By
In 1972 Dr. E. Mavis Hetherington launched a study on divorce that morphed into the most comprehensive longitudinal study entitled the Virgina Longitudinal Study that lasted 30 years. The reason for this…. The original 2 year study was to research the effects of divorce on family members but then something happened – these divorce couples got [...]
