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The Power of Giving Gifts

 (This was taken from Lesson 9 in Happy School Advanced at JulieNGordon.com.) As you know, all women love birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, anniversary gifts, Valentine’s gifts, and Mother’s Day gifts. (In Husband School, these days are called The Big Five and there is a whole chapter devoted to teaching men how to properly celebrate women’s special days. As you might already…

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How to Think When Others Disappoint You

 A young newlywed, Maureen, recently told me she was visiting her friend, Cassie. Cassie’s sister, who has a toddler, was also visiting. The toddler was a busy boy, and he knocked over a drink. Maureen said she waited for a harsh reprimand but instead the sweet mother said, “Oh dear, Johnny. Did you spill your drink? Well, that’s okay. Let Mommy help you clean it up.”  My friend then said that in her family-of-origin, if you made a mess, you were met with, “Can’t you be more careful?!” We have all learned how to react when others disappoint us—even if it’s toddlers—by watching others.  I think one of the most helpful…

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This May Sound Harsh, But You Need to Know

 (This is the fourth blog in a series of five, entitled “Rooms to Stay Out Of: Self-Pity, Failure, and Regret.” It is taken from Lesson 6 in Happy School Advanced, a study of the book, Happy School.) Recently, a friend of mine asked me to meet with her younger sister because her sister is struggling with…

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Responding to Someone with High Negativity

 (This blog was taken from Lesson 7 and 8 in Happy School Advanced.) My grandmother had a neighbor, Cleo, who had to take care of an aging aunt during the aunt’s last years. This aunt, Aunt Luticia, had no children, and was arguably the most negative and pessimistic person you’ve ever met. Aunt Luticia complained about…

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The Real Answer to Fear

 (This blog was taken from Lesson 7 and 8 in Happy School Advanced.) My most intense fearful moments are related to fears over my children. I remember having a three-year-old who was so dehydrated from the flu that he seemed almost lifeless (thank God for emergency rooms and IV’s). I also remember another son who fell on the ice and hit his head. He too was almost non-responsive on the way to the emergency room. Another time a child swallowed something, and I was afraid he might die. When the Emergency Room techs told me he would be alright, I remember sobbing because I was so relieved. Having had six kids,…

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