By Sarah Chana Radcliffe
They spew their complaints with no holds barred; YOU seem to be their biggest problem..
When a family member routinely speaks to you with rage and derision, keep in mind that the particular person is not thriving. People who are thriving tend to be positive, happy, respectful and kind. This is because they have healthy brains and hearts that produce good chemistry that produces good thoughts, feelings and actions. On the other hand, people who spew hostility are suffering from some form of unhappiness. There is something psychologically - and possibly physically - wrong with them. Whether it is depression, dementia, personality disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD, addiction or some other syndrome, chronically upset and angry people have a problem that resides inside of their own brains and bodies. It isn't you.
Brushing teeth, hanging the towel back up....does it REALLY matter?
Teach your kids to clean up after themselves so that they can be happily married one day. Even if you have hired help, make sure they regularly make their own beds and clear their own plates off the table. Practicing these simple habits for 20 developmental years helps to wire them into the brain, making these thoughtful behaviors easy and natural to perform in adulthood. Make it easy for your kids to succeed.
