By Chris Oldner | Contributor There are so many positives to graduating to an empty nest: No more bickering between siblings. A deep exhale after the chaos and anxiety of adolescence. Quiet satisfaction of successfully shepherding your offspring into the next phase of their life. Freedom from the demands and…
by Lisa A. Beach You can easily notice when the first day of school begins because on that glorious, bird-singing, sunshine-filled morning, Panera Bread needs a bouncer for crowd-control with all the exuberant moms on coffee dates. I am one of those moms. Now that summer is almost over, I…
By: Robert W. Sugerman, MD | Contributor Here’s a lesson that I learned very early in my career as an allergist: If the allergist advises the family to get rid of their dog (or other beloved warm-blooded creature), the family will usually get rid of the allergist instead. My youthful…
by Christa Melnyk Hines Teens by nature crave independence and privacy. As parents, how far should we go to respect their privacy while still ensuring that they’re making sound decisions? “The goal is for teens to gradually assume more responsibility for their own judgment,” says Dr. Rochelle Harris, a clinical…
By Deborah Dobbs, Beka Mullins and Carrie Leafblad | Contributors Experiencing (or enduring) big life events means we’re living life rather than just observing it. Big life events, good or bad, also bring stress. Our bodies tend to react the same way to a big positive change, like marriage or…
By Charla Bradshaw | Contributor In a divorce, pets must be awarded as part of the property division and therefore will usually go to one spouse or the other. However, spouses can choose to co-own the pet going forward and create a visitation schedule for the pet. We have done…
By Dr. Dean Beckloff | Contributor It’s no sacrifice at all. – Elton John Posh. My youngest daughter claimed her and named her (after the girl band at the time, the Spice Girls). Posh was a miniature schnauzer, and wow, she came totally hyper. When my youngest went to…
By Dr. Melanie Ross Mills | Contributor Letting go will be one of the most difficult processes you’ve experienced as a parent. You’ve poured your heart and soul into this child for the past 17 years, so it’s hard to ease up. However, you can rest knowing that you’ve taught…
By Deb Silverthorn Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership is one of the best lessons one can provide, and many Texas Woman’s University graduate students have benefited from Virginia Chandler Dykes—not only from her leadership but also from her mentorship and philanthropy. Because of her vision, more than $700,000 in scholarships have been provided…