Home/Work Life Balance

Lessen Concerns about Child Day Care

Monice Chalhoub — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 19:03:46 -0500

Entrusting a child to a day care center for the first time may produce feelings of apprehension. You want a healthy and secure experience in order to focus on work and not worry. The American Academy of Pediatrics website, healthychildren.org, and childcareaware.org, offer resources to help you evaluate day care issues quickly and ask the right…

Parent and Teen Driving Tips

Monice Chalhoub — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 18:57:23 -0500

One third of teenagers who die between the ages of 16 and 19 are killed in vehicle crashes. Of those, 16 and 17 year olds have three times the likelihood of a crash than older teens. The first 12 months for a novice driver is the riskiest period. Here's how parents and caregivers can make a big difference to reduce risk. Start with a parent-teen…

Dozing Off with Digital Media

Monice Chalhoub — Tue, 07 May 2019 12:24:25 -0500

Is your child falling asleep with technology aglow? Children's eyes are not fully developed, and research shows their eyes are more sensitive to light than the eyes of adults are. This can affect the brain and disrupt circadian rhythms (the biological clock). Lack of sleep can contribute to excessive tiredness at the end of the school day, grade…

Does a Family Member have a Mental Illness?

Monice Chalhoub — Tue, 07 May 2019 12:22:48 -0500

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. It is a time to raise awareness of mental illness and fight the stigma that goes with it. Every year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness, and some go without support or treatment. As symptoms of mental illnesses appear, family members often experience denial as they…

Can We Talk?

Monice Chalhoub — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 16:10:13 -0500

Is there a "right way" or "best approach" for convincing a troubled friend or loved one to get professional counseling? Any approach will include unease, but don't let the adage "no one accepts help until they're ready" stop you from giving it a try. Contrary to popular belief, it is not fear of stigma that keeps people from accepting help for…

Resolving Relationship Problems at Work

Monice Chalhoub — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 16:36:27 -0600

Are you tolerating a difficult workplace relationship? Thorny relationships are often tolerated because switching job functions or leaving is not an option. If this sounds like you, it's time to discuss your situation with an EAP counselor or job coach. People conflicts are the most common complaints of workers, but the fewest for which help is…

Healing Relationships with Honest Conversations

Monice Chalhoub — Sat, 12 Jan 2019 12:58:28 -0600

When family and couple communication problems are left unaddressed, they get worse. Habits of impatience, interrupting, refusing to listen, and poor empathy - they can all create resentment. Think of resentment as museum pieces of unaddressed dysfunctions in relationships. Got any? Stop the day-in-and-day-out anguish. Talk to a professional…

When a Family Member Is Arrested

Monice Chalhoub — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 12:25:44 -0500

The arrest of a family member can be very upsetting. While taking steps to intervene, find an attorney, and overcome the shock. Don't overlook possible contributing factors, perhaps signs or symptoms of an alcohol use disorder (alcoholism). Use the crisis to break the denial pattern you may have seen slowly emerge among family and friends. An…

Plan for a Better Day Tomorrow

Monice Chalhoub — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 11:42:38 -0500

Try jotting down your to-do list for tomorrow before going to sleep tonight. You may sleep better. Surprisingly, the ritual helps you off-load thoughts and reduce worry, not stress you more about what lies ahead. The research seems to support another often recommended productivity tip-planning ahead for the next day. This includes jotting down…

Making Decisions Is a Life Skill

Monice Chalhoub — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 08:34:51 -0500

Try not to muddle through on decisions, especially big ones. Small decisions, like what color socks to wear, are easy. But big decisions with big consequences can provoke anxiety or dread. There is a way to make big decisions easier and be happier with their result. With your next big decision, rather than ask others what you should do,…