Tag: siblings

When your child is first diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, your world can be turned upside down. You and your spouse will both learn new ways to cope with emotions, balancing appointments, and more. Siblings of autistic children have an adjusting period as well. There are many questions, feelings, and concerns they will have. Explaining autism to siblings in a positive way is extremely important.

Coming from a Latin heritage, I was raised to believe that family is everything. That blood is thicker than water. Totally understandable and honorable. I, like many of you, would give my life for my kids and husband.

However, what if you are born into strong traditions and family codes that don't make sense anymore or are contradictory to your lifestyle and mental health? As toddlers up until adolescence even, we usually accept and integrate family patterns. We don’t know any different and as we grow older, these patterns become normal and expected. When something becomes expected and normal, it also becomes familiar and comfortable.

How often do you see people in your extended family or community who believe their family gets along just fine and doesn't have any problems? However, upon further inspection, you find that screaming, yelling, name-calling and physical aggressiveness is almost the norm. There almost seems to be a denial that there is a deeper issue, and because of this, the conflict continues and people believe that destructive behaviors are acceptable. Whether it is sibling rivalries, parents behaving badly, physically or verbally abusive behaviors and/or conflicts between extended family members, these patterns of conflicts often endure from generation to generation. What are the factors that start these conflicts and continue them across time?

Grandma and Grandpa just called to say they would like everyone to spend the holidays with them at their Florida condo. Just imagine: all the cousins going to the beach and playing in the pool together, all the adults sipping gin and tonics and having long overdue visits. It sounds like heaven, right? Um, well, maybe.

For some, family holidays mean one thing: run the other way!

If you think parenting issues create tension between you and your spouse, just wait until your sister starts issuing timeouts during the turkey dinner.