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Author Archives: Dr. Joshua Coleman
Telling the Children That You Are Going to Divorce
Dear Dr. Coleman,
I recently saw your appearance on ABC-TV where you stated that it is important for both parents, no matter what the circumstances leading to deciding to divorce, to tell the children it is a mutual decision. I can understand your reason for this yet I have this question. For me, choosing to divorce [...]
Posted in Articles Tagged affairs, anxiety, arguments, divorce, divorced fathers, divorced mothers, worry about child Leave a comment
Sex Addiction: Is it For Real?
There was a good article recently in The New York Times titled, “When is It Sex Addiction?” The article featured 3 experts weighing in on what distinguishes sexual addiction from simple opportunistic behavior. Personally, I’m a little bored by politicians and celebrities hiding behind the language of disease processes to defend their actions. In the [...]
Posted in Articles Tagged affairs, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, sex, sex addiction, shame, Tiger Woods Leave a comment
Advice for Couples: How to Ruin Your Sex Life
1) Never go out on dates.
2) When you do go out on dates, talk about all of the problems that exist in your partner or your relationship.
3) Criticize your partner’s body. Men, you’ll find this especially effective if you’d like a bad sex life with your wife or girlfriend.
4) Bring up a conflict shortly before [...]
Posted in Articles Tagged affairs, anxiety, arguments, communication, conflict resolution, housework, sex, sex life, sexual problems Leave a comment
Survivor Guilt: Common reason for self-sabotage
Many people wonder why they sometimes do the exact behavior that is the most hurtful to them: sabotage relationships, not going after what they want, staying confused about where they are with their money. A common reason is feeling guilty about having a better life than the people that you grew up with. If you [...]
Posted in Articles Tagged anxiety, depression, fear of success, goals, guilt, self-sabotage, survivor guilt Leave a comment
Advice for Couples: Self-Soothing
One of the most important behaviors that you have to learn to be in a couple is the ability to soothe yourself when you get hurt or provoked. If you grew up in a family that was chaotic or where there was ongoing neglect or abuse, this will likely require more effort on your part [...]
Posted in Recommended Links Tagged affairs, anxiety, arguments, communication, conflict resolution, depression, emotional regulation, fighting Leave a comment
Girls’ Sports Matter
Some parents wonder about whether high school athletics serve any long-term purpose. Apparently, for high school girls they do. According to a recent study cited in the NYT’s by columnist Tara Parker-Pope, women who competed in high school sports, did better later in life in terms of health, education, and economics than girls who didn’t [...]
Posted in Articles Tagged anxiety, changing roles, Economic Downturn, effect on masculinity, gender, gender identity, girls, girls' sports, masculinity Leave a comment
“I Can’t Stand The Man My Learning Disabled Daughter Will Marry! What Should I Do?”
Dear Dr. Coleman,
Our 21 yr old just announced she is getting married in 5 months (not pregnant) to her 2 yr companion and addict boyfriend. We dislike him and his family-there is nothing positive to say about him. We have always had a good relationship with her (so I thought) until this guy came into [...]
Your Difficult Child May Be Your Most Successful Child
Every parent with more than one child knows that similar parenting does not always produce similar children. Children come into the world genetically blessed or cursed with traits that may either serve them or put them into harm’s way. Recent research has helped identify the genes that cause some children to be more resilient regardless [...]
What Do Kids Really Think About Their Working Parents?
On Feb 10th, I was on Fem2.0 Blog Radio with host Ellen Galinsky and guest Lisa Belkin. Ellen Galinsky is President and Co-Founder of the Families and Work Institute and author of the forthcoming book, MINDS IN THE MAKING: The Seven Essential Skills Every Child Must Learn (HarperStudio). Lisa Belkin is a New York Times [...]
NY Times: Working Women Say Their Marriage Is Richer For It 
NPR On Point with Tom Ashbrook
I Can Not Stand My Stepchildren!