Month: April 2010
Same name, different lives
“Your father wasn’t there because he couldn’t be; my father wasn’t there because he chose not to be,” author Wes Moore quotes the other Wes Moore as saying in a powerful story of the impact of fathers and mentors in the lives of children. The book offers a compelling portrait of the very different lives of two men who both began their lives with the same name, similar circumstances, and potential. One will never see freedom again.
Admiral Mullen urges leadership to address unmet needs of returning combat veterans, families
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports substantial mental health and adjustment difficulties among servicemen and women returning from combat deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called for leadership from America’s foundations and philanthropists, saying time is of the essence.
Should Larry King’s marriage license be revoked?
Amidst stories of Larry King’s pending eighth divorce, should the King of Talk’s marriage license be revoked? “How many marriages are too many,” Belinda Luscombe asks? A co-worker suggests a weekend marriage education class. Now that would be something to talk about.
Five essential steps for love and intimacy
Join PAIRS National Trainer Lauren DelGandio for a complimentary one-hour online preview of five essential steps for love and intimacy, Monday, May 3, 7:00-8:00PM Eastern.
Subscribe for Chance to Win iPod Touch
To celebrate the 10,000th visitor to FatherhoodChannel.com, we’re giving away a free iPod Touch. Subscribe to FatherhoodChannel.com for a chance to win! But hurry, we’re almost at 10,000 and only the first 18 new subscribers win! Learn more …
Teenagers prefer text to talk
Texting among teens has grown dramatically in the past 18 months with a record 88% of teen cell phone users now regularly using mobile devices to message friends and helping eliminate the digital divide. Many parents are lagging behind when it comes to staying connected with their teenagers through text messaging and other advanced cell phone features. A “next practice” from one of the world’s leading relationship skills training programs encourages parents to build stronger relationships with their teenagers through an innovative, free iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad app.
Love lost and found
Tiffany Tehan was reported missing last week leaving behind her one-year old daughter, worried husband, family and friends. The young woman’s neighbors feared the worst, uniting day and night to search for Tiffany over much of the past week. As many hoped and prayed, Tiffany was found safe and sound five days later. Early news reports indicate she intentionally fled her home, infant daughter, husband and community for Miami in search of love with another man. Sadly, Tiffany’s story is not unique. A recent study by the PAIRS Foundation indicated as many as 70% of married men and women are contemplating separation or divorce.
Helping families and marriages impacted by TBI
Caring for service members and veterans impacted by traumatic brain injury has become an increasingly urgent national priority. A new publication from the Defense and Brain Injury Center and innovative programs offered through VA Hospitals in collaboration with PAIRS Foundation help caregivers and families address the impact of TBI, promote healing, and strengthen marital resilience.
Shared appreciations boost morale, success
Much has changed in the daily life of administrative professionals and support staff over the past 58 years since the International Association of Administrative Professionals began sponsoring Administrative Professionals Week. From mailings and phones, checkouts to banking, information distribution, analysis, customer development, and many areas in between, modern technology has taken over many of the traditional tasks that are vital to successful businesses and organizations, large and small. High levels of employee involvement in decision making, adequate training, an environment where it is safe for employees to speak up, or speak their mind freely have been shown to increase levels of employee satisfaction.
By the Numbers – Children Born to Single Mothers
Recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Heritage Foundation on the scope and economic impact of childbirth by single mothers highlight the economic impact of the absence of husbands and fathers, which is also a strong contributing factor to failure in school, crime, drug abuse, emotional disturbance, and a host of other social problems.
Marriage therapy or marriage education?
For couples experiencing continued marital distress, two recent studies show the potential for significant, lasting improvement through marriage education and marriage therapy. Considering the emotional, health, social, and economic benefits of sustaining healthy marriages, the studies offer strong incentive for couples to pursue marriage education or marriage therapy before actively considering divorce.
Marriage and health
For more than 150 years, policy-makers and researchers have known there’s a direct connection between marriage and health. Today, studies are increasingly identifying the specific aspects of marriage that promote wellness, healing, and increased life expectancy. This information provides a road map to strengthen couples, families and communities with significant medical, social, and economic benefits.
Former President Clinton visits future Carrfour site to urge renewed efforts to erradicate homelessness
Former President Bill Clinton, Alonzo Mourning, Nnamdi Asomugha, Heather Graham and other celebrities led hundreds of young volunteers to Carrfour Supportive Housing’s future Verde Gardens community in Homestead Sunday for a day of service as part of the Clinton Global Initiative University’s (CGIU) weekend program in Miami. The Carrfour community is one of the most innovative programs in the nation to help formerly homeless families achieve self-sufficiency and independence through affordable housing and wrap-around programs including relationship skills, vocational, micro-enterprise, and rehabilitative services.
Foundations team up with iTunes to promote tolerance with new iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad app
Four years after a suicide bombing that claimed the life of a 16-year-old Florida youngster, PAIRS Foundation and the Daniel Cantor Wultz Foundation teamed up with iTunes to release a free iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad application to promote tolerance by helping young people strengthen families, relationships, schools, and communities.
Bonding critical for adoptive parents and children
As he celebrated his eighth birthday in a Moscow hospital this week, little Artyom Savelyev’s experiences continued to betray the hope of his Russian name, to be “safe and sound.” Artyom’s story and many others demonstrate the importance of improving post-adoption services through skills that enhance communication, emotional understanding, promote forgiveness, bonding, attachment, and healthy conflict resolution.
How does your relationship measure up?
Answer these six questions to find out how your love life measures up with a free report.
Study offers hope for marriages, families, and jobs
A study by the nonprofit PAIRS Foundation found statistically significant, lasting improvements in marital satisfaction for men and women who completed a nine-hour relationship skills training program. The organization says that expanding relationship skills training in communities nationwide offers the potential for creating tens of thousands of jobs while reducing billions in taxpayer expenses.
Marriage crisis offers path to deeper happiness
While many respond to marital crisis by freezing, the emotional and physical consequences may be far-reaching. Prolonged stress responses may result in chronic suppression of the immune system, increasing the likelihood of infections and illness while also often leading to bottled up emotions that eventually either implode (isolation, sadness, depression) or explode (anger, rage, violence).
The Happiness Project reminds us to remember love
After 14 years of marriage, Lauren and Michael DelGandio both wanted more. Their experience in a marriage education class gave them the road map and tools to discover greater happiness. Lauren reflects on her journey and the guidance offered by The Happiness Project.
Learning to Listen with Empathy Deepens Love
Is technology helping couples and families hear everything but each other? Learning to listen with empathy deepens love and makes it safe for others to confide.
