Common  in alcoholic relationshi, enabling also occurs at work, but the cost to employers is financial. Are you a workplace enabler without realizing it? Enablers often have strengths -- they tend to be loyal and empathic, love their jobs, prioritize harmony, and are compassionate and optimistic. With all this positivity, what could go wrong? Motivated by a need to be needed, avoid conflict, and preserve emotional stability -- often learned early -- enablers may cover missed deadlines, fix…

Being easily distracted is rarely viewed as a positive work-place trait. However, there can be an upside when distractions consistently lead to creative ideas, new opportunities, or break-throughs. If your thoughts tend to jump around, don't be too quick to label that a flaw. This pattern is known as productive distractibility. If mental wandering has produced some of your best insights, it may be an asset -- especially if you manage it with practical strategies. 

1. Jot down sudden insights as…

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 questions. 

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 driving agreement. The CDC has one that you can find on the National Foundation for Teen Safe Driving "Parent Tips" page. You can also learn dozens of…

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 slippage, conduct problems, loss of interest in other pursuits, depression, and an increase in suicide risk. Make rules early on concerning the use of…

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 seek to cope with confusing or frightening behaviors, especially bipolar disorders and schizophrenia. Early diagnosis and treatment is crucial, so…

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 personal problems--resistance is usually founded on denial bolstered by brief wins at curtailing symptoms following negative events or incidents. These…

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 sought. The reason: Thinking it's hopeless. Numerous strategies exist for resolving workplace conflicts. Whether it it is learning different responses…

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 counselor or your EAP for a referral to a resource that can help. You'll learn to practice "honest conversations." These are communication tools to produce…