Woodbridge Counseling, LLC

Thursday’s Thoughtful Parent Post- Hug your kids. They are not ok right now, either. I have watched my middle school and teen clients deteriorate over the last 8 months. They, too, are upset about politics, worried about COVID and uncertain about their futures. ... Take time to listen to them. Help them create a sense of consistency and safety during this tumultuous time. Start by wrapping your arms around them, and letting them know you will always, ALWAYS, have their backs.

Wednesday’s Weekly Challenge- Be kind as you’re being patriotic. It’s really not that hard. Be nice. ... We teach it in preschool but for some reason, the older we get, the lousier we become at implementing this concept. So- if you voted, thank you. If it doesn’t go your way, continue to be kind to your neighbor, coworker, friend, and family member that disagree with you. You get to think what you want. And so do they. That’s the American way.

Twosday’s Couples Perspective- Enjoy the poetry and writings of Him and Her by Pierre Alex Jeanty These snippets are from a few different amazing books by this author. He wrote to empower women and to lift up men, to remind us that all women are worthy of love, and not all men are dogs. ... You should read them. Immediately. And be forever changed with how you think about yourself, and others in relationships.

Monday Morning Memo- It’s a new month. A fresh start. Make each second, minute, hour and day matter to you. Stop letting others define what you want and need. Start taking your needs to heart.

Friday’s Funny Perspective- Full Moon. Halloween. Time change. I’m pretty sure I’m not leaving the house. Too risky.

Wednesday’s Weekly Challenge- Stop rescuing people from their emotions. It’s your job to learn how to deal with your own feelings, not run interference for everyone else. When you spend time doing that, at least two things happen: ... 1. You wipe yourself out. 2. You rob others of an opportunity to learn how to manage themselves appropriately. This week- give yourself the Gift that keeps on giving- freedom to let people feel their feelings and save your energy for yourself.

Twosday’s Couples Perspective- Know when to stay and when to go. When you have been together a long time, sometimes inertia keeps things moving forward. It takes courage to pause and evaluate whether or not this movement is based on happiness, or habit. ... Never compromise your values for your VALUE. You should be able to maintain both in a true loving bond.

Monday Morning Memo- Strive to be your best self. Time passes by. Whether you are coasting in dysfunction, comfortable as you are, or shooting for new heights , the clock will keep ticking. ... Answer the questions below, and evaluate if you are current living your best life, or if there are a few things you could develop the courage to change.

Friday’s Funny Perspective- We. Are. All. A. Mess.

Thursday’s Thoughtful Parent Post- Embracing accidents. ‘Currently, an astonishing 45 percent of the 6 million pregnancies in the United States each year are unintended. Every year, millions of women, married and unmarried, young and not so young, are getting an outcome pregnancy that they didn't plan on or desire.’... May 1, 2018; www.washingtonpost.com Talk with your kids about sex. Start early. Keep doors of communication open. Don’t let your sons and daughters become a statistic. I was unplanned. I had an unplanned son. And right now, somewhere nearby, a girl has just discovered she became pregnant and may be scared to tell her boyfriend or husband. Be the reason she doesn’t have to be- listen, support, and educate your children in age appropriate ways. https://www.psychologytoday.com//when-and-how-talk-kids-ab

Wednesday’s Weekly Challenge- Know that you matter. We spend a lot of time creating stories in our heads about not mattering, not being good enough, or being less than. ... Brené Brown calls this Shitty First Drafts. These SFD’s, once noticed, can be changed, just like rough drafts of papers you had to write in school. Know this: I believe you can. I believe you will. And I believe your SFD’s are worth changing.

Twosday’s Couples Pointer- If she’s walking away, it might not be why you think. One of the most common questions I hear in my office when doing couples work is: ‘Is there someone else?’ ... It’s hard to say what the answer to that will be, but a lot of times, what has happened is that an accumulation of bad events and poor behavior has taken its emotional toll. Don’t wait until your relationship is too far gone to listen when your spouse tries to ask for things to be different. The regret of wishing you had changed could be a tough pill to swallow.

If you have not yet heard of Brené Brown, you have no idea what you’re missing! She is insightful, motivating and authentic. Don’t miss this!

Monday Morning Memo- Despite me teaching this on a daily basis, this mantra is a personal struggle for me. I tend to give too many chances, put up with too much garbage, and forgive too easily. I don’t want to become a biatch, but I do want to have better boundaries. ... I hope you do, too.