Sarah Chana Radcliffe Parenting

Mimicking someone can be hysterically funny when done by a professional satirist. However, this isn't something one should try at home - and especially when the subject is a family member! The risk of causing someone pain is very high and while others might have a good laugh, that can't possibly justify the wounding of someone you're supposed to love.

When your child (or spouse!) is afraid, refrain from saying "Don't be afraid" or "There's nothing to be afraid of." Instead, acknowledge and accept: "I know. You're really worried/scared/unsure about all this." When you accept someone's fear, he or she immediately feels comforted - and that was your goal all along, wasn't it?

Your "stress" speaks to you through your aches and pains, your lowered mood, your heightened irritation, your increasing anxiety and other personal channels. It's asking you to pay attention and, most importantly, to help. Don't just try to shut it up; instead, take a few moments to LISTEN. What is wrong? What hurts? What does it need? When YOU listen and help, you can heal.

Mental health tip: always make sure that every day contains an activity that you really look forward to. The "looking forward" provides you with a steady dose of positive chemistry to enhance your physical and emotional wellbeing.

Social skills are acquired in two ways: genetically (yes, some people are born with social aptitude) and through learning. You can't do anything about genes, of course, but you can help your child or spouse improve social competence through a combination of modeling (showing how it's done!) and direct teaching. The second method involves both instruction and positive reinforcement ("Wow, you sounded very warm and friendly on that telephone call!" or "Hey, I really appreciated the effort you made to talk to my Dad today; I could see he enjoyed it!").