ACA Counseling Corner Blog

Most parents notice that their children, often starting at a fairly young age, will argue and disagree with what the parent has had to say. It's part of maturing, but as our kids hit the teen years it can become more frequent and sometimes hostile. It doesn't have to be that way. Here is some information on why such disagreements occur, and some tips on how to minimize the level of disagreement.

Worrying about all the things we can't seem to remember is a common problem as we age. Yes, we forgot things ever since we were kids, but as we approach our "senior" years it may begin to seem a real problem. Sometimes it can indicate a serious problem, but often just a few changes in your life can help strengthen and improve memory.

This is a common time of the year for the kids in many homes to be heading off in new directions. It might be college, a new job, or any of a hundred other reasons why it's time to leave Mom and Dad. That usually seems a happy time, but for many parents suddenly living in an empty house brings emotions that aren't happy and can be difficult to handle.

We all value good friendships but building and maintaining positive relationships with those close to us doesn't just happen. One of the most important factors is being able to listen to what others have to say, especially when it's something truly meaningful to our friend or relative. Here are a few tips on how to build better relationships by being a better listener.

It's easy to get wrapped up in our daily routines and to let things just sort of happen. Many of us are probably somewhat lazy and it doesn't take much effort to just life happen each day. At least until we wake up one day feeling bored and realizing we aren't really happy with how life is just going by. It doesn't have to be that way. If we start making small changes in our lives opportunities can open up and life can be much more satisfying.

Teenagers can be difficult to read. They often are hesitant to communicate with parents and they often display a wide range of emotions, leaving parents confused and lost as to what prompted the latest round of mood changes. But when a parent observes a teen experiencing a prolonged period of sadness and depression that's bringing the teen significant life changes, that's when a parent needs to pay attention and take action.

Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody fails sometimes. And hopefully, we move on past that mistake or failure. But sometimes, some of us find it difficult to put what has happened behind us. That can be a problem that limits our future. Dwelling on what went wrong in the past can keep us from undertaking any sort of risk in the future and can limit opportunities and accomplishments. The good news is that past failures can be overcome.

It's not uncommon for people to feel that they are doing better and are more successful than they really deserve. We might feel we've just been lucky when good things happen, without taking credit for the talent and work that has made the accomplishment possible. It's called "impostor syndrome" and it's feelings that can sometimes keep us from enjoying our successes and even limit our future accomplishments.

Summer is the busiest time for car trips with the family. Travel agencies estimate that more than 50 million families will be driving off on vacation this summer. That can mean a lot of hot, unhappy kids sitting in the back seat and asking over and over, "Are we there yet?!?". With a little planning, however, it's possible to make that drive an enjoyable one for the kids, and, most importantly, for their parents.

Children tend to sometimes pick on one another. It happens at virtually every age and may often seem to be a simple, normal part of childhood and growing up. But the reality is that repeated incidences of teasing or bullying can do real harm to a child, eroding self-esteem and self-confidence, and in some cases leading to tragic outcomes.