family matters Tag

Posts tagged 'family matters'

The Danger of Believing “He’ll Grow Out of It”

In the wonderful journey of parenthood, we often encounter challenges that leave us scratching our heads, wondering how to navigate the troubled waters of raising children.

Whether it’s tantrums, defiance, or developmental delays, the phrase “He’ll grow out of it” has become a common strategy, offering just temporary comfort in moments of uncertainty. But what if I told you that this seemingly innocent phrase could be more harmful than helpful?

What if it isn’t just a passing phase? What if it’s a symptom of a deeper issue that requires attention and intervention? What happens if children learn that this is a good strategy to manipulate you and they practice it over and over again?

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Silence in Relationships: How Quiet Moments Create Connection

The power of silence in relationships: couple having a quiet moment together

When we talk about relationships, we immediately imagine a cuddling couple full of love. When we think relationship breakup, we think there is a communication breakup. There is some truth in it, but communication is not always what is said but also what is transferred in silence.

In a world where everyone seems to be in a hurry to speak, explain, defend, or correct, silence in relationships can feel unfamiliar, almost uncomfortable. But silence is not the absence of communication; it is a form of communication. And in relationships, especially long-term ones, the moments between the words often matter more than the words themselves.

I like to think of conversations as dance. When both people move in rhythm, it feels effortless. But when both pull in different directions, someone gets stepped on. Silence is the moment where both partners pause long enough to feel each other, to sense the rhythm and feel the music again.

In my relationship coaching program, I get many couples coming “minutes” before they divorce claiming they “don’t communicate well” and I am there to tell them it has nothing to do with communication but everything to do with safety.

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The Gift of Silence in Parenting: How Pausing Helps Children Feel Seen and Safe

Parenting is often described as loud — literally and emotionally. Kids chatter, cry, argue, negotiate. Parents explain, repeat, call out, remind, negotiate back. And underneath all of that noise lies another layer: the emotional noise of stress, expectations, and daily overwhelm.

But hidden in chaos is one of the most powerful tools a parent can use: silence. Not the silent treatment. Not punishment. Not disconnecting.

But intentional quiet — the space that lets emotions settle, thoughts clarify, and hearts communicate without words. In psychology, we call it “containing,” where you become a container for your child’s feeling.

You don’t remove the feeling, not try to fix it, not try to prevent it, judge it, criticize it, or approve it but hold it with grace, while your child is processing it. You are giving your child a gift. A sacred space held in silence.

Families talk a lot. But they don’t always hear each other.

This is where silence in parenting becomes a gift. Silence helps children feel emotionally safe. It helps parents respond instead of reacting and it strengthens connection in ways talking simply cannot.

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Secrets of Silence and Emotional Intelligence

Father and son practising silence and emotional intelligence together

Silence is a powerful emotional tool most families never use intentionally. We’re taught to talk things out, explain, discuss, debate — but not to pause. Not to let quiet space do the heavy lifting.

And yet, some of the strongest emotional intelligence comes from moments when we say nothing at all.

Silence and emotional intelligence are working together.

Think of silence like the body’s cool-down after a run. Without that recovery time, the muscles tighten, the heart stays racing, and the system never resets.

In the same way, without silence, the emotional brain never cools down. It simply reacts, jumps, triggers, and spirals.

But when we give the mind quiet space, something extraordinary happens, reactions soften, thinking sharpens, and awareness rises. This is where silence and emotional intelligence meet — in the gap between stimulus and response.

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How Sarcasm in Relationships Ruins Trust and Communication

Woman with a sarcastic expression on her face

Sarcasm in relationships can be a double-edged sword. While it might seem harmless or humorous, sarcasm in relationships can deeply affect trust and communication between partners. Understanding its impact is key to building healthier connections and avoiding long-term damage.

Sarcasm in relationships is the weapon of frustration and weakness. We use sarcasm when we are very upset and frustrated, and many times it can damage relationships to a point where they can’t be saved.

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Why We Remember Bad Things and How to Break the Cycle

Most people assume they’re too sensitive, too emotional, or too dramatic because they remember the bad things so clearly — the harsh words, the embarrassing moments, the mistakes, the disappointments, the fights, the failures.

And then they think something is wrong with them because the good things fade so easily. The compliment? Gone. The joy? Blurry. The victory? Forgotten. The happy days? A soft fog.

Why we remember bad things more than good?

The truth is simple: we remember bad things more than good because the brain is wired for survival, not happiness. This isn’t a character flaw. It’s biology.

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Why Manipulation in Parenting Isn’t a Swear Word

Manipulation in parenting is not like raising puppets

“He is very manipulative!”

You’ve probably heard this sentence before. Maybe you even used it yourself. It’s usually said with the same tone you’d use for moldy cheese or stepping on LEGO barefoot.

But here’s the thing: manipulation isn’t a bad word.

And before you scream, “Noooo, Ronit, don’t go there!”, stay with me.

In parenting, relationships, workplaces, families — even in our own health — manipulation is everywhere. And it’s not what you think.

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The Hidden Benefits of Silence Meditation

benefits of silence meditation peaceful quiet moment

Silence isn’t empty. It’s full of information.

Yet for many people, silence feels uncomfortable, even threatening. In a world buzzing with constant notifications, conversations, and mental clutter, sitting quietly with ourselves, feels like stepping into unfamiliar territory.

But when we explore the benefits of silence meditation, we discover something remarkable: silence isn’t absence. It’s presence. It’s connection. It’s healing.

Just like a lake that becomes clear when the water settles, silence gives the mind time to reorganize itself. And when that happens, everything in life becomes easier—our thinking, our emotional regulation, our creativity, our relationships, and even our physical wellbeing.

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Teen Social Anxiety: True Story About Fear, Movement & One Brave Yes

Teen social anxiety - sad girl sitting by a window

I met Zara’s parents, Annie, and Dan, at a parenting workshop I ran in their remote hometown. Over 60 parents crowded into a small school hall, tired, worried, and hopeful. That night, I shared a true story about children’s dysfunctional ways of seeking love and attention—and about how parents struggle too. How we must take care of ourselves if we want to care for our children. There were lots of crying parents there.

That workshop ended after 9pm, but the conversations didn’t. Parents stayed, queued patiently, and waited to talk to me personally. Annie and Dan came to me after 11pm. Annie was teary and barely able to speak. Dan gently touched her arm, grounding her.

Their daughter, Zara, was 16. She hadn’t been to school for over a year. She didn’t leave the house. What they were facing had a name many parents know too well: teen social anxiety.

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The Power of Silence: Benefits for Emotional Wellbeing

benefits of silence for emotional well-being quiet reflection

Silence is one of the rarest experiences in modern life. We fill every empty moment with sound — podcasts, conversations, notifications, background noise, busy thoughts. Yet the power of silence and the benefits of silence for emotional wellbeing are enormous, and most people don’t realise how deeply quiet moments can change their mental and emotional landscape.

As parents, partners, and individuals navigating a noisy world, we often forget that silence is not the absence of life — it is the space where life is processed. It’s where the brain recalibrates, the heart slows down, and emotions finally have room to breathe.

Let’s explore the power of silence and the benefits of silence for emotional wellbeing, why silence affects the brain so powerfully, and how small shifts in daily quiet time can transform relationships, parenting, resilience, and clarity.

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