Dear Dr. Buckingham, I have been dating this single young lady for over 14 months now and I am considering marrying her. However, I have one problem with her. She does not treat her children well, especially her 12-year-old son. She is mean as hell to him and appears to have a short temper. I have two sons, one 9 years old and one 13 years old. I am concerned that she is … [Read more...]
The Sobering Moment I Realized I Couldn’t Teach My Sons to Stand and Pee
Seven years ago my eldest son was nominated to be inducted into the National Beta Club. His school required that all nominees dress up for the induction ceremony. So I purchased him a new pair of black dress slacks, a white collared shirt, and a beautiful red silk necktie. Normally my son ironed his own clothes, but the proud mother in me wanted him to look extra sharp; so … [Read more...]
The Letter to My 10-Year-Old Daughter that Changed Our Relationship
A few months ago, I was at my wits’ end with my daughter who just happens to be a smidgen more stubborn than I am. We butt heads often because we’re so much alike. But I also understand that it has a great deal to do with the environment that our children are growing up in, which is so much different then the one many of us were raised in by our own parents. Disrespect? What … [Read more...]
How to Overcome Parenting Insecurities
Have you ever second guessed a decision you made as a parent? For example, sent your child out with a light jacket on a chilly day because you forgot to check the weather? Or lost track of your children in a mall? Or have you ever been so drained after work you barely checked your child's homework and sent him/her on their way anyway? Well, I have. And as a result I still … [Read more...]