Our country has been through yet another tragedy. Whether caused by an individual who is mentally ill or individuals who are trained to hate, the loss of life and maiming of innocent children, teens and adults is a trauma that many of us who are older, never had to deal...

Divorced parents of teens often wonder if their children's behavior and family relationship challenges are due to simply being a teen or due to the separation or divorce. A simple answer is that it may be both. A more honest answer suggests that it will depend on both the parent...

I have worked with many divorced families on schedules over the holidays. There are as many different ways to celebrate the holidays as there are families and there are as many conflicts about how to "divide" the holidays as well. The most meaningful gift you can give your children is...

The peer counselors at the non-profit center I direct, the National Family Resiliency Center in Columbia and Rockville, Maryland, are outstanding human beings. Ranging in age from 6-years-old through adulthood, these children, youth and adults have experienced a family transition and are trained by NFRC staff to reach...

This is the time of year when children, teens and young adults have much to celebrate. They have completed another school year, some are graduating, others are getting married, starting a new career and perhaps moving. Whether it is a preschool or college graduation, every child needs the affirmation and...

Raising a teen post separation can be challenging. The following tips will help make being a single parent to teens easier.

1. Catch them when you can! Teens are filled with energy and activities and are usually on the run. A concise, five-minute discussion can be more meaningful than...

One of the most painful tasks for parents who are in the middle of a divorce or family transition is facing the upcoming holidays. From how to spend the holiday, how to communicate with the child's other parent, to making decisions about finances and being stressed about time, holidays post-divorce...

At a recent conference, therapists and attorneys expressed their concern about what is happening between parents going through divorce. There appears to be an increase in violence, viciousness, putting children in the middle and sadly, not letting go of the anger toward a former partner. Why is this happening and...

We work with a lot of adolescents going through family transitions at the National Family Resiliency Center, Inc. Last month, news came about the Shriver/Schwarzenegger family which was a hot topic for teens. Some of their remarks were:

"It's a bad thing." "I'd feel left out and unimportant as the...

"My parents only ask us to sit together in the family room when they are mad at us or have something serious to tell us."

"I knew something was up but didn't expect the "D" word.

"My parents never fought; I always thought we were the perfect family."...

The National Family Resiliency Center, Inc. (NFRC) is a private, non-profit mental health center located in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area. The NFRC has one special goal--fostering healthy relationships in all families regardless of composition. Through individual, couple, family, parent, co-parent, pre-marital, marital, separation and blended family counseling.

While many people...

Dear Readers,

In my 25 years as the director of the National Family Resiliency Center, Inc. I have gained wisdom from the parents and children who have come to the center. I have worked with families in various states of transition of the separation and divorce process and want to...