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It’s Hard to Say “I’m Sorry” When You’re Not

Sad smiley

Kids sometimes do things that others don’t like. Sometimes, they break things and even hurt others. It’s important to help them understand what happened, but parents should never force them to say, “I’m sorry”.

I think the idea of saying “sorry” is distorted because of social “expectations” that if someone is hurt, we must have done something to cause it. This makes parents “teach” their kids to say “sorry” even if it comes without actual “sorrow”.

It’s very easy to see it with young children. They take a game away from another kid (sibling), the other kid cries. Immediately, the parents scold them and force them to go to the other kid and say they’re sorry.

This is humiliating. It plants in those kids the idea that saying “sorry” is admitting guilt, even if they don’t think they’re guilty. And it builds up and stays with the kids.

Read It’s Hard to Say “I’m Sorry” When You’re Not »

Published: March 31, 2021 by Ronit Baras
Last modified: March 31, 2021In: Parenting Tags: responsibility, values, change, kids / children, acceptance / judgment / tolerance, behavior / discipline, feeling, guilt, emotional development, practical parenting / parents

How to Have Better Communication with Children

Mother and 2 daughters

Communication works like a bee. It can produce honey or sting. It’s true. Our communication is the tool we have to connect or destroy relationship. To be better parents, we need to develop better communication with our children.

When our kids are born, they have full trust in us. They trust us with their life. They have to, because without us, they would die. Literally.

Over the years, that trust is gradually lost. Not because the kids grow out of it, but because the parents change the way they communicate with their children.

Read How to Have Better Communication with Children »

Published: March 24, 2021 by Ronit Baras
Last modified: March 24, 2021In: Parenting Tags: trust, communication styles, relationships / marriage, sarcasm, kids / children, behavior / discipline, personal development / personal growth / personality development / self improvement, guilt, emotional development, communication, practical parenting / parents, how to

How to Be Happy: 36 Habits of Happy People

Girl in a field of flowers

This week, on the 20th of March, is the international day of happiness. I thought a good way to celebrating it would be to learn how to be happy by looking at the habits of happy people.

We all want to be happy and the search for happiness is gaining serious momentum in the last decade. I’m sure people searched for happiness way before that, but advanced digital technology has made it easier to learn more about happiness.

Happiness is now a science. I focus on happiness in my and help my clients become happier coaching. That’s why I call my business Be Happy in LIFE.

Simply put, happy people have habits that promote happiness. So, develop the habits of happy people, and you will be happy too.

Read How to Be Happy: 36 Habits of Happy People »

Published: March 17, 2021 by Ronit Baras
Last modified: March 17, 2021In: Personal Development Tags: meditation, choice, happiness, optimism, attitude, personal development / personal growth / personality development / self improvement, mindfulness, gratitude

How to Clean Away Resentment and Be Happy

Couple showing resentment towards each other

Resentment is a destructive feeling. We get it from being forced to do things we don’t want to do. It comes from feeling powerless. But we can clear away resentment.

We’re all born with the disease to please. We learn thorough our parents’ behavior, and a set of “rewards” and “punishments”. This pressure to do what’s expected of us to avoid negative consequences develops a dependency on the approval of others. Later, when we go to school, we take this need to please others to the next level and eventually dedicate our lives to it.

The problem with pleasing others is that every second we spend trying to please someone else, we step further away from ourselves. We can’t find out who we are and express ourselves authentically. Many people find it very difficult to hear that it damages our self-image.

This post is part 7 of 48 in the series Make a List

Read How to Clean Away Resentment and Be Happy »

Published: March 9, 2021 by Ronit Baras
Last modified: March 10, 2021In: Relationships / Marriage Tags: choice, control, happiness, motivation, relationships / marriage, anger, behavior / discipline, personal development / personal growth / personality development / self improvement, how to

Better Family Relationships: How to Build Trust

Group of hands together

Family relationships can be hard, let’s be honest. We have a relationship with everyone we come in contact with. Some relationships are short. Some are long. Some are intimate, and others not so much. In every relationship, our actions affect the dynamic. We can’t just do or say whatever we want, whenever we want.

Why? Because we don’t exist in a bubble. Our words have meaning.

It’s amazing how many people are never exposed to the concept of effective and thoughtful communication. I find people of all ages coming to my leadership camps and saying, “How has no one ever taught me this?”

Read Better Family Relationships: How to Build Trust »

Published: March 3, 2021 by Ronit Baras
Last modified: January 24, 2023In: Parenting, Relationships / Marriage Tags: siblings, how to, trust, family matters, listening, acceptance / judgment / tolerance, personal development / personal growth / personality development / self improvement, practical parenting / parents, sibling rivalry, communication, gratitude

Relationship Problems: Why You Shouldn’t Ask Why

Couple having relationship problems

Relationship problems are a natural part of life, and usually stems from either or both parties’ insecurity. Many people think that if they understand the source of a conflict, they will find a solution more easily. Sometimes, asking “Why?” helps, but often, it can cause more harm than good.

Why?

Because “Seek and you shall find”. When someone asks us a question, we activate a mechanism in the brain that searches for an answer. It will not rest until it finds one.

Questions are like playing “fetch” with a dog. Ask, and your mind’s “dog” will search for the “ball” (or “stick”).

Read Relationship Problems: Why You Shouldn’t Ask Why »

Published: February 24, 2021 by Ronit Baras
Last modified: February 24, 2021In: Relationships / Marriage Tags: relationships / marriage, conflict, sarcasm, questions, acceptance / judgment / tolerance, personal development / personal growth / personality development / self improvement, communication, emotional intelligence

28 Easy Ways to Save Money When You Go Shopping

Woman with a purse

Shopping was a different experience in the past year. The changes the COVID-19 pandemic caused were good for some, because it was an opportunity to save money. But for others, it increased the shopping costs and left them spending more than ever before.

It’s important to understand that we shop to gain a feeling. Even when we buy food, we try to increase our feeling of variety. We could all survive perfectly well on potatoes or bread and butter all day, but that wouldn’t satisfy our need for variety.

I remember years ago I did juice cleanse, and the thing I missed the most was … chewing. I could get all the nutrients I needed from the juice, but it just didn’t give me the satisfaction of chewing.

Shopping for things we need is not the same as “going shopping”. The problem is that today, people are so stressed that even simple grocery shopping is no longer just buying what we need. Instead, it’s become stocking the cupboard with things we don’t need.

Read 28 Easy Ways to Save Money When You Go Shopping »

Published: February 17, 2021 by Ronit Baras
Last modified: February 17, 2021In: Home, Success / Wealth Tags: control, family matters, financial freedom, budget, tips, home / house, money, how to

Domestic Violence is Devastating. We Need to Stop It!

Domestic violence scene

As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost every part of our daily life. Work, school and social engagements were adjusted to follow the restrictions. But the most troubling change is the huge increase in domestic violence all around the world.

Domestic violence has been damaging our society in more ways than COVID-19 ever will. But no one thinks we should shut down schools, states, airlines, restaurants, gyms or businesses until we eradicate it from our society. And we’re going to pay for this long after COVID-19 is gone.

Domestic violence is primarily directed at women and children. Why? Because they are more vulnerable.

Read Domestic Violence is Devastating. We Need to Stop It! »

Published: February 10, 2021 by Ronit Baras
Last modified: February 9, 2021In: Parenting, Relationships / Marriage Tags: emotional intelligence, violence, change, society, aggressive, bullying, self confidence / self esteem / self worth, personal development / personal growth / personality development / self improvement, practical parenting / parents, communication

Negative Emotions: How to Really Help Your Kids Manage Them

Young man looking lonely and upset

As parents, it’s natural for us to want to keep our children from feeling what we perceive as negative emotions. We want to keep them from suffering. But as hard as it is to admit, by doing so, we often do more harm than good.

Most people grow up thinking that our purpose in life is to avoid suffering. But it isn’t!

We aren’t supposed to avoid suffering, we’re supposed to manage it. We should never fight it, or even try to control it. We must live with it and find ways to use it to our advantage.

Read Negative Emotions: How to Really Help Your Kids Manage Them »

Published: January 27, 2021 by Ronit Baras
Last modified: November 28, 2022In: Parenting, Personal Development Tags: compassion, kids / children, acceptance / judgment / tolerance, empathy, emotions, feeling, practical parenting / parents, communication, emotional intelligence, how to, listening

How to Make International Hugging Day Count with COVID-19

Granddaughter and grandfather hugging

January 21 (great date: 21-Jan-21) is International Hugging Day. It also falls during Walk Your Dog Month, which makes it even greater. But this year, with COVID-19 still running wild, let’s make sure it’s a happy day!

Research has found hugging the most effective anti-depressant. Many experts have written about hugs and their ability to change our chemistry. Touch in general has very healing power.

This year, International Hugging Day will be a bit sad due to the COVID-19. I worry that the forced isolation will disconnect people and that many will forget the hard work of thousands of people around the world, like many free hug campaigns, to connect.

Read How to Make International Hugging Day Count with COVID-19 »

Published: January 20, 2021 by Ronit Baras
Last modified: January 20, 2021In: Health / Wellbeing

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