Relationships & Family

Mystery Shopper

jnalewicki — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:01:01 -0600

Bitter and cold outside and not much warmer inside this holiday season. My husband had just been laid off and was in the living room looking through the want ads. “I’m going to run to the store while the kids are napping,” I called to him.

The Compromise

jbloustein — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:05:11 -0500

Matt was the perfect guy for me. Even our schedules were in synch: I was an elementary school teacher, and got out every day at three o’clock. Matt worked till three in a store that specialized in honey-glazed ham.

He started as holiday help and enjoyed it so much they kept him on full-time. Eventually he worked his way up to general manager.

Matt always gave me a quick call before leaving the store so we could plan our evenings. Spending time together was important to me in a relationship—and if we married it would be even more so.

Staying Home and Making Ends Meet

admin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:35:48 -0600

I could hardly bear to leave after dropping off my two-month-old daughter, Courtney, at a friend's house that first day back at work, but my six weeks of maternity leave were over. "I'll be by at lunchtime to feed her," I promised, and took comfort in that.

When I returned at noon, Courtney was crying. My heart sank. I scooped her up in my arms and we snuggled contentedly while I fed her, but after what seemed only a few minutes I looked at my watch and it was time to go.

Building a Recession-Proof Marriage

batch — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 04:05:11 -0500

It's no secret that financial problems can place extreme strain on families and relationships, particularly if there is a job loss involved.

However, psychologist and author Noelle C. Nelson says that partners who are committed to supporting each other and working as a team can weather the storm and emerge stronger than before.

Nelson suggests couples focus on expressing appreciation to each other in the midst of stress, rather than placing blame or criticizing.

Bottom of the Ninth

admin — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 07:25:00 -0500

I love baseball cards and I love collecting them. I've loved them all my life, just like my dad. But that autumn day 12 years ago was different. I'd come to work early at my sports cards-and-collectibles shop.

Owning the store had been a dream come true. But I'd purchased thousands of baseball cards in anticipation of a big summer sale and, just as they arrived, major-league baseball went on strike. The World Series was canceled. Kids turned away from the game. My sales dove.

Time Out

jnalewicki — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:35:51 -0600

The living room was large and open, the main room of the house, with a kitchen and dining area off to the side, no doors except the one to the master bedroom.

Over Our Heads in Debt

admin — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:35:41 -0600

It was the end of the month, and I sat down at my desk to put some order to the pile of bills that had accumulated.

I wrote out one check after another, meeting the monthly minimum on a credit card, covering the large payment for our new van, stretching to meet the mortgage.

With calculator in hand I subtracted several figures from our bank balance, trying to convince myself that our family was still in the black. But when I opened the desk drawer to rummage for stamps, I was confronted by a stack of unopened letters. Here was evidence of a debt I had avoided for too long.

Expert Gives Tips for Coping with Job Loss

batch — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:05:11 -0500

The unexpected loss of a job is never easy, but there are ways of minimizing stress as you deal with this significant life change.

Nancy K. Schlossberg, a professor emerita at the University of Maryland-College Park, advises the newly unemployed to begin by thinking positive.

Househusband

admin — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:42:50 -0500

Our lawn was glistening with spring dew. "Have a great day!" I called after my wife, Tonya, from our front door and gave her a quick wave.

Then I went in to see if Lauren and Jared were finished with breakfast and ready to head for school. "Time's wasting. Lauren, don't forget your art project. Jared! Get some shoes on. We don't want to be late like yesterday."

Balancing Act

admin — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:05:27 -0600

I raced through the kitchen, practically tripping over my briefcase. "Karen! You forgot to take your lunch!" I shouted after my eight-year-old daughter who was already halfway to the school bus. Kelly, 11, came tearing behind both of us, books spilling out of her unzipped backpack, and snatched Karen's lunch out of my hand. "Don't forget about my basketball game tonight, Mom," she called over her shoulder as she adjusted her pack on the run. Oh, my gosh, I had forgotten!