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Do you repeatedly find yourself in relationships where you give a lot more than you take? Do you find that the focus is always on your partner and your needs remain unmet? Do you sometimes feel like a mere object in the relationship? This may be the case if you gravitate toward relationships with people who have narcissistic tendencies. This article explores the signs of narcissistic relationships, the toll they can take, as well as some steps you can take to break out of this pattern....

A power struggle is when a child refuses to do something and the parent continues to insist on the child “Do it now.” The ongoing banter can become a battle of the wills as the parent says, “Yes,” and the child says, “No.” The longer this argument carries on, the more difficult it becomes to get the child to comply. There are steps parents can take to regain control and end power struggles....

A healthy and invigorating marriage is something all couples should strive to maintain, regardless of age or years married. High-spirited relationships are often envied by others, but more critically, you will prevent the mundane tasks of daily life from thwarting long-term happiness. However, both spouses have to put forth deliberate effort to prevent a marriage from going stale. During the honeymoon phase (which, by the way, lasts less than a year), couples focus most their attention on their significant other....

Many kids just aren’t that into writing, and it shows in their school work through the years. You may save your child’s cute early writings. But with the exception of homework assignments, writing isn’t a big part of our kids’ everyday life at home. What can parents do to help their child develop good writing skills during the elementary years? Start Writing Early Advancements in educational research shows that reading and writing development are intertwined in early learning....

If you’re struggling with the holiday season after a recent miscarriage or other pregnancy loss, you’re not alone. Times of celebration often magnify feelings of grief and trauma, leaving many people who’ve lost a baby with little holiday cheer, particularly if the loss was recent. You might feel reluctant to attend gatherings, not wanting to face pregnant relatives or friends with new babies. In addition, you might feel like everywhere you look, you see another reminder that there should be another pregnant belly, face in the family photo, and/or stocking on the fireplace....

Some psychotherapists are now recommending journaling, also called expressive writing, to help people cope with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you have PTSD, here’s how journaling can help, as well as how to do it. Overview Journaling is one method of helping people cope with any type of traumatic event. Expressive writing has been found to improve physical and psychological health for people with a number of physical and mental health conditions....

One of the most frequent questions parents have is how to properly place their baby in a car seat to ensure their safety. Improperly fitted car seats, incorrectly positioning of the car seat, and failure to securely restrain the car seat (and the child in it) are hazards parents can avoid by learning about car seat safety. Almost all vehicles manufactured after September 1, 2002, are required to have the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) restraint system installed....

Neuroticism is a core personality trait characterized by emotional instability, irritability, anxiety, self-doubt, depression, and other negative feelings. Like other personality traits, neuroticism exists on a continuum, which means that people can be high, low, or somewhere in the middle in terms of this trait. Neuroticism can affect relationships in various ways. Neurotic tendencies, for example, can sometimes cause friction. Learn how neuroticism can affect relationships, as well as a few ways to keep the potentially negative impact of this personality trait to a minimum....

What Does Leia Mean? The name Leia has a few different variations and meanings. In Hebrew, it means “weary,” though it could also be translated as “languid, relaxed.” In Hawaiian, it means “child of heaven” or “heavenly flowers.” In Assyrian, it means “mistress.” And in Latin, it means “lioness.” Regardless of meaning, the name Leia is most often recognized because of the “Star Wars” films, in which it was the name of Princess Leia, one of the franchise’s main characters....

If you experience frequent panic (anxiety) attacks and have been diagnosed with panic disorder or another anxiety disorder, you may have inadvertently developed maladaptive, or poor, patterns of behavior to cope with your situation. Understanding Maladaptive Behaviors Maladaptive behaviors inhibit your ability to adjust healthily to particular situations. In essence, they prevent you from adapting or coping well with the demands and stresses of life. Often used to reduce anxiety, maladaptive behaviors result in dysfunctional and non-productive outcomes—in other words, they are more harmful than helpful....

Maternal death rates are 62% higher in states with restrictive abortion access. This startling new statistic is according to a new study from The Commonwealth Fund. The Commonwealth Fund is a foundation that aims to promote a better healthcare system and supports research on healthcare-related issues. Key Takeaways A new study finds that maternal and infant death rates are higher in states with restrictive abortion access.39% of counties in states that have banned or restricted abortion access are considered maternity care deserts....

When parents remarry, they confront the issue of how to cultivate a happily blended family, which is not always an easy task. One big challenge many couples face is how to become effective, loving stepparents that are accepted and respected by their stepchildren. This can be difficult, particularly when they’re unsure how to parent a child that “isn’t theirs,” including how much parenting stepparents should even do. There’s no question that forging a good relationship with your stepchild while not stepping on the parenting toes of your new partner takes a delicate balance....

Oxytocin, a hormone related to feelings of love and bonding, may play a major role in regulating gastrointestinal functions, especially as it pertains to stress, according to the preview of a new study to be published in The Journal of Physiology. Key Takeaways Once thought to play a minor part in digestion, the hormone oxytocin could be a big driver for gut health, a recent study suggests.This is more evidence of the importance of the gut-brain axis, experts note, with messages sent almost constantly between the two....

People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) commonly use or abuse drugs and/or alcohol. This self-treatment with substances, known as self-medicating, may help to explain the high rates of substance use disorders among people with PTSD. The high rate of co-occurrence between PTSD and substance use has caused researchers to take interest in better understanding the relationship in hope of developing more effective, targeted, treatments. PTSD and Substance Use Statistics In the United States, 6-8% of adults in the general population have PTSD....

We all have an inner critic. At times this little voice can actually be helpful and keep us motivated toward goals—like when it reminds us that what we’re about to eat isn’t healthy or what we’re about to do may not be wise. However, this voice can often be more harmful than helpful, particularly when it gets into the realm of excessive negativity. This is known as negative self-talk, and it can really bring us down....

Moving from crib to bed is yet another milestone in your toddler’s life. Keep in mind that there is no set age for this move so you will have to follow your toddler’s lead (when they express interest, need to get to the toilet or climb out of the crib) or leave it to circumstances (like a new baby who needs the crib) to determine when it’s time. When you’re ready, follow these tips to make the transition as smooth and positive as possible....

Today, one in four Americans ages 18 and older has a diagnosable mental health disorder. Stress has become a mental health crisis on a national scale. People are looking for ways to relieve the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other conditions in a healthy and proactive way. Key Takeaways Wearable devices are helping people deal with mental health conditions.New technology may help wearables detect potential mental health reactions in seconds.People who decide to use wearables should consider the pros and cons before using them as a method of care....

Love is a set of emotions and behaviors characterized by intimacy, passion, and commitment. It involves care, closeness, protectiveness, attraction, affection, and trust. Love can vary in intensity and can change over time. It is associated with a range of positive emotions, including happiness, excitement, life satisfaction, and euphoria, but it can also result in negative emotions such as jealousy and stress. When it comes to love, some people would say it is one of the most important human emotions....

Winter can feel like a drag but it’s also an opportunity for family bonding. And although there are plenty of fun things to do in the comfort of your home, you don’t have to stay inside just because it’s cold. There are many ways to enjoy winter outdoors (with the right clothing of course), along with places to visit as a family. However your household decides to do winter, the most important thing is that you spend time together....

Fall crafts are a fun way to celebrate and learn about the shift in seasons with your kids. The changing leaves, crispness in the air, anticipation of Halloween, and the bounty of the fall harvest season all provide wonderful inspiration for clever things to make at home. But crafting with your kids need not be overly complex. In fact, simple supplies and easy steps are all that’s needed to create some truly cool autumn crafts....