Approximately 20 years ago I met a woman in my practice who was a single parent of three boys. Her husband had died four years earlier in a construction accident. I credit this mother with teaching me about single parenthood. She left me with the conviction that there are few “jobs” in the world that […]

Divorce can have an adverse impact on children. Let’s consider the strategies which may help avoid those harmful outcomes. Whether recently divorced or you have been apart for some time, raising your kids isn’t easy. While your break up will undoubtedly affect the children, they can and do survive divorce. With your help, they will […]

I remember a conversation I had with my cousin not long after her divorce was finalized.   She had two kids, ages 12 and 10 at the time. I asked her how the kids were doing and she said “fine, they have moved on and do not seem too bothered by it.” My cousin’s response was […]

I remember helping my dad rake the yard for the first time. I was, perhaps, ten and it felt good to be be working side by side with him on such an important project. He assigned me my own section to rake and I did so with gusto.   Upon completion, I picked up the leaves, […]

Our friends Cindy and Steve were in town last weekend and they brought their 17 year old son Tyler with them. They live in Alaska so they like coming to Boise in the winter. It is their chance to soak up some warmth, some sun and walk snow free in the foothills or along the […]

  Last month I addressed the frustrations that so often accompany a teenager with ADHD.  This month I would like to offer up some answers to many of those excruciating questions that leave parents feeling fearful and hopeless. Unfortunately, there is no definitive test for ADHD.  This can result in much frustration for everyone involved.  […]

High School is now at the mid-year point and with grades out I know many parents are at their wit’s end with certain children who may be underperforming.  So I have found myself often thinking about Zach, a kid I saw many years ago in my practice.  Unlike a lot of kids who are diagnosed […]

About a month ago my friend Ken’s father passed away at age 82. At the funeral, we had a chance to talk about our fathers and the importance they played in our lives. In so doing, we discovered that both dads worked hard, provided for their families and spent very little day-to-day time with their […]

Yesterday, my wife and I were sitting at a small 1950’s type burger stand about an hour from Boise.  We were sitting next to a table of three – a dad and his two sons.  We sat next to them for about 30 minutes before they piled into their truck and left.  Instantly my wife […]