Family Members and Friends Relationship Counselling
In-House , by Phone or Skype
Very few of us have wonderful healthy relationships with all our family members. While most of our relationships feel reasonably normal, there are usually a few that cause us problems.
When you feel that you would like to improve one of these relationships, we are here to help you.
Parenting
When parenting our children, it is important to create a balance between caring and nurturing on one hand, and also firmness, discipline and boundaries on the other.
In addition, as our children grow and mature, we need to know when is appropriate to step back from each of these, while supporting their emerging real self, and loving them all the way.
Many of us don’t manage to negotiate some of these balances and these transitions terribly well, mostly because no-one has shown us how. I have found that most parents are doing the best they know how with what they have got, and as well, while handling many other responsibilities and stresses.
If you find your relationship with your son or daughter, of any age, even if they have left home, is challenging for you, please give us a call, and we can show what steps you can take to improve things between you.
Family life is usually so much happier when everyone is getting on well.
With Parents
Many of us both love and are frustrated by our parents. We love them and want their love as we have since we were born, and also want them to acknowledge us as the capable adults that we are.
Most parents want to love us, and respect us and want us to do well, but then sometimes get challenged personally if we do too well, or not how or what they expected.
There can also be boundary confusion between parents and adult children when parents don’t want to let go of the reins of responsibility for you, and keep insisting that they know what is best for you. That’s when you need to be lovingly assertive.
Or sometimes parents stay away for they fear that they are not wanted in your life.
Despite these challenges, parents play a key and pivotal role in our lives, and our relationships with them can be enhanced by either party making the first move.
If you would like to improve your relationship with either of your parents, we can help you.
With Friends
Where would we be without our friends? Our friends are the people we actively chose to be around, and reflect how we want to live our lives. Often we chose our best friends because he or she fully supports who we are, rather than tries to change us.
Good friendships are maintained when there is a roughly equal give-and-take between the two if you over time.
One of the main problems between friends occurs when one of you perceives that the give and take has becoming unequal.
Another problem can happen when changes in partners and or having children means a changing status of your friendship.
Still another, usually with females, is pleasantries to your face and judgements and nastiness behind your back.
Friendships can be enhanced by honest, caring and assertive communication between you.
If you would like some advice on a friendship, or some help on how to improve a friendship, please call us.