Speaking Psychologically 12-26-12

Dr.Braccio talks on the konya merkez escort kızlar “Tony Conley Radio Show” on 1320 a.m. in Lansing on 12/25/12 – Christians as a Personal Reflective Period

 

 

The Beauty of Christmas for Christians, non-practicing Christians and many non-Christians is that it is a reflective period when millions of people are exposed to love from family, loved ones and friends.  It is a good time to personally examine the following questions:  1.What is my purpose for living?  2.  Will the world be better when I leave it because of me?  3.  How will family, loved ones, friends and acquaintances remember me?  4.  How would I like to be remembered?

 

I personally hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas Blog

Dr.Braccio talks on the karatay kadın escort “Tony Conley Radio Show” on 1320 a.m. in Lansing on 12/25/12 – Christians as a Personal Reflective Period

 

 

The Beauty of Christmas for Christians, non-practicing Christians and many non-Christians is that it is a reflective period when millions of people are exposed to love from family, loved ones and friends.  It is a good time to personally examine the following questions:  1.What is my purpose for living?  2.  Will the world be better when I leave it because of me?  3.  How will family, loved ones, friends and acquaintances remember me?  4.  How would I like to be remembered?

 

I personally hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Speaking Psychologically 12-18-12

Dr.Braccio talks on the “Tony karatay escort Conley Radio Show” on 1320 a.m. in Lansing on 12/18/12 – Barbaric Murder of Innocents in Newtown, Connecticut

 

Dr. Braccio and Tony talk about the horrible murder and suicide events in Newtown, Connecticut.  To slaughter young innocents goes into the unthinkable.  Two mothers I know have called me in tears stressing out over their own daughters experiencing such an unspeakable abomination of human decency.  It touches an emotional response from any caring human being. The evil and rage are almost impossible to comprehend.  Hopefully, this information will be helpful.

Be Kind and Reach Out To Others During The Christmas Holiday Period

One need not be a psychologist to see that this time of year is very hard for a lot of people emotionally.  Sadly, Christmas and New Year’s celebrations along with any other celebrated holidays remind silifke eskort ilanları many people of happier times.  Since then, many family members may have grown apart, developed into separate units or simply lost interest in the concept of family or your part in it.  There also are problems of divorce, separation, death and distance from loved ones that keep people apart.  Television and concerts bombard us daily with the joys of Christmas.

 For those of us who have loving and caring family and friends near us at this time, the following are a few things to do to make life happier for you and help others who may not be as happy at this joyous time for millions.

 1.  Give a smile and a friendly hello to people.  This can make a person’s day.  We sometimes forget this is often a time of personal isolation even in a crowd of people.

2.  Call relatives and friends that may be alone, away from loved ones, grieving the loss of loved ones or just having a hard time emotionally.  Let them know you care.

3.  Invite persons and relatives to holiday events who you know are alone and would greatly appreciate it.

4.  Invite someone to breakfast or lunch you feel it could be helpful.

5.  Volunteer at church and/or community events as possible.

6.  If a Christian, focus on the birth of Christ and his message of love and forgiveness.  To give and receive reasonable gifts for Christmas is nice but we must not lose track of what Christmas represents.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Gently Tell Daughter About Past

Question

Dr.Braccio:  My seventeen konya merkez kadın numaraları year old daughter is having a hard time emotionally.  Her father died in a car accident when I was pregnant with her.  He was speeding and ran into a tree.  Her stepfather adopted her when we married and she was three years old.  They love each other and he treats her like his daughter.  Even though it never bothered her before, she feels bad she looks nothing like her two brothers and sister and does not have their superior academic skills.  That she is far more outgoing and popular does not make her feel better.  She is very pretty, popular, athletic and is an above average student.  For some reason, she has only recently been focusing on this.  I’ve not said much about her father to her and she never seemed to be very interested.  He was basically good but immature. He said he was treated very poorly when growing up.  He was very handsome and athletic but had little or no motivation for work or school.  We loved each other but were both very young and foolish.  I actually matured and grew up a lot while raising her before I married.  I’ve been trying to talk to her but do not know what to say.  He was not from Michigan.  When we met, he was not talking to anyone and I have never met anyone from his side.  What should I say to her?

Answer

The concerns of your daughter are reasonable and occur quite naturally in many persons in her circumstances.  That they are occurring at the age of seventeen is not usual or unusual.  People can wonder about their heritage when young, old or sometimes never.  This just happens to be the time for her.  You can talk to her and ask her why this is important to her now as a way to break the ice.  Be open and non-threatening to get an honest answer and guarantee good follow up discussion.

You can tell your daughter about her birth father and also about yourself when you two were together.  She is old enough for open and honest discussion.  It sounds like you two were immature, in love, and she is the wonderful product of the relationship.  You can be positive and say he probably would have matured as you have.  He apparently had some good traits that have been passed to your daughter.  That she is doing well in your home environment is positive and apparently different from how he grew up.  Her motivation to do well is a tribute to your maturity and good parenting.

You might consider making contact with his family or helping her do this now or in the future if she desires.  This is said even though it could lead to disappointment.  She needs to know this possible negative outcome to cushion any possible hurt or frustration.

The fact the children have different academic skills could be genetic or it also could relate to different skills and interests that come to children even with the same parents.  It also appears she may have developed her social skills more as they have developed their academic skills.  The key thing is for her to look at her wonderful self and not compare herself with others.  From what you say, she need not take a back seat to anyone.

Any questions or comments would be appreciated.

Speaking Psychologically Gambling Addictions 11-27-2012

Dr.Braccio talks on the “Tony Conley Radio mersin anamur eskort bayanları Show” on 1320 a.m. in Lansing on 11/27/12 on Gambling Addiction

Gambling Addiction is sadly too typical in our society.  Often the gambling addict and family try to hide the addiction and the pain is often not known by others except for extreme cases.  The key is to understand it is not just about winning but being addicted to the euphoric highs that come periodically when the person wins and wants them to return.  Most people have trouble comprehending this concept.

Betting: It’s Not Worth the Gamble

Question

Dr.Braccio:  My sister silifke eskort numaraları is devastated.  Her daughter has left her husband at least temporarily with her two children to live with her because her husband has a gambling addiction and has thrown their money to the wind.  She found out his gambling was far worse than she ever imagined.  Video poker is what controls him and he won’t stop.  I even loaned him some money to be helpful for a project he said he was working on.  I now find out he lied to me and has borrowed from everyone and is broke.  He also is on the way to losing his job.  He sometimes misses work by spending hours in front of the computer.  This seems so stupid.  I have a mind to meet with him and try to talk some sense into him.  My niece has about given up with all his promises and lies to stop.  My sister says he has tried to stop but amazingly still thinks he can beat the system and win big.  What do you think?  What can I do?

 Answer

I think your nephew is a pathological gambler in denial.  Gambling is seen as addictive as cocaine with similar consequences.  It is less understood and more hidden because there is no known substance like alcohol or other drugs.  The person is not using a needle or slurring his or her words.  But the devastation is as great as well as having a higher suicide rate.  It is an illness that one must do all that he or she can to overcome it.

The biggest problem at present is his unwillingness to accept he has a gambling addiction and that he, like the alcoholic with drinking, must never gamble again.  Like all addictions, he chooses the euphoric highs that come periodically when he wins and wants them to return.  The dream of then returning is a poor compensation for the horrible lows when he is losing.  In the process his self-esteem is shattered by his lying and ever mounting losses.  In this horrible world, he continues to gamble with the dream of making it all back and winning bigger than ever.

Even if he hits the “home run”, he would want more because of the highs and his desire for never ending highs.  Unless you experience it or have observed it, it is almost impossible to understand.  It is a horrible mental health illness and not just a lack of willpower.

You can imagine the suffering the wife and children are feeling.  The sense of loss and abandonment.  You and your sister are also having horrible feelings as I am sure are other family members.

At this point, there is little you or anyone else can do for him until he decides he has an addiction and he needs help to overcome it.  Progress can then occur.

Above all, do not give him money.  That would go right back into gambling and feed his addiction.  If he calls, talk to him respectfully and be honest with him about how you feel, but do not accept statements at face value if he says he is done gambling.

Based on his needs, when he accepts his addiction, he will need treatment by a trained therapist, group therapy, residential placement, involvement with a group such as Gamblers Anonymous or some combination.  Medication could help with a diagnosis of Depression, Anxiety, etc.

You can try to become as knowledgeable as possible on the gambling addiction to help you understand what is happening with him and what a family can do when everyone tries to be a support.  The internet has a lot of information under compulsive gambling or any bookstore would have or could order you a book on the topic.

The Michigan Department of Community Health has a 24 hour hotline (800) 270-7117 for people who have a gambling addition or those who know someone who does.  You can go to the Gamblers Anonymous website at www.gamblersanonymous.org to gain some very helpful information.  A related support group for you and the family would be Gam-Anon and their website is www.gam.anon.org.  TheMichigan Hotline. (313) 792-2877, to find out where meetings are is the same for both places.

There is a twenty-question page on the Gambler Anonymous website that is very instructive to the addicted gambler or someone like you trying to gain information.  The website says most compulsive gamblers will answer YES to at least seven of these questions.  You can see just on what you know now he would logically need to say yes to at least seven of them.  That he would not or would deny the significance shows the level of his addiction.  Until he can do that, there is not much you or anyone else can do for him.  That is the sad truth.

The questions are as follows:
1.    Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?

2.    Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?

3.    Did gambling affect your reputation?

4.    Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?

5.    Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise  solve financial difficulties?

6.    Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?

7.    After losing, did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?

8.    After a win, did you have strong urge to return and win more?

9.    Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?

10.  Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?

11.  Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?

12.  Were you reluctant to use “gambling money” for normal expenditures?

13.  Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family?

14.  Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?

15.  Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?

16.  Have you ever committed or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?

17.  Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?

18.  Do arguments, disappointments or frustration create within you an urge to gamble?

19.  Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of  gambling?

20.  Have you ever considered self-destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?

Any questions or comment would be appreciated.

Speaking Psychologically 11-20-12

Dr.Braccio talks on the “Tony Conley Radio Show” kocasinan bayan arkadaş on 1320 a.m. in Lansing on 11/20/12 About Thanksgiving

 

Thanksgiving Day is a time of Individual Thanks.  It is a time to find things to be grateful for.  It can be a day to start on a positive life journey where greater appreciation for what we have leads to greater happiness in life.  Whether we do this regularly or never, let this Thanksgiving Day be a day to reflect on being grateful.  Typical things could be:  Belief in God, loving parents, loving children, loving spouse, great friends/ friendship, life itself, vision, the internet, your education, your favorite sports team, your favorite author, your favorite book, your favorite neighbor, your favorite city, the sun, wonderful memories, future dreams, life satisfaction, your work, mentors who have helped in life now or in the past, movies or your garden.  The list is as endless as a person’s life experiences and dreams for the future.

Dealing with an 8 year old with bad behavior

Dr.Braccio talks on the “Tony Conley Radio Show” on anamur escort kızlar 1320 a.m. in Lansing on 11/13/12 about an 8 year old with bad behavior

 

 

She thinks she is always right and gets everyone mad at her both at home and school.  Teachers are annoyed with her attitude and it does not allow her to keep friends. The parents need a new approach that is fresh.  They cannot worry about what they have done wrong but what can be done to correct the situation

Help Daughter Change Her Attitude Now

Question

Dr.Braccio:  Our eight year mersineskort old daughter isn’t realistic.  She always thinks she’s right and gets everyone mad at her.  Teachers find her annoying and she can’t keep friends her own age.  What can we do?  My husband is ready to pull out what little hair he has left and I’m at a loss.  We’ve always tried to build her up emotionally and do not want to change that.

 Answer

 You need to begin by letting her know she must change her attitude and behaviors.  Let her know you love her and want her to love herself; however, she must learn that she is not always right and needs to respect others and their views.  She needs to live by the wise golden rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.

It is possible in trying to “build her up” that you have gone too far and innocently have helped cause the current ongoing problem.  Whether that is true or not, the key is not to focus on what you may have done wrong, but to change the attitude, negative behaviors, and resulting bad relationships of your daughter.  The task will be difficult but you must do it for your daughter’s sake.

The following are some suggestions to help you:

1.  You and your husband need to determine what is acceptable give and take behavior.

2.  Accept you will better enhance her self-image by insisting she be realistic and accept when she is wrong and learn how to get along with others and be a good friend.  These are skills that need to be developed.

3.  When she is wrong and argues she is right, do not argue back and forth with her and become like her brother or sister.  Let her know when she is wrong, explain it to her and leave it alone.

4.  Discipline her with a consequence she is aware will occur if she continues to argue even after you have told her she is wrong about something and explained why.

5.  You and your husband both need to model the kinds of sharing and conciliatory behaviors you desire in your daughter.  Never underestimate the power of positive modeling in shaping attitudes and behaviors.

6.  Encourage her when she behaves appropriately with the goal of having it continue.  This is a key strategy to begin to ingrain the kinds of behaviors and attitudes you desire.  Too often, we overlook “catching them” when they are doing what we desire.

7.  Because she also has problems at school, it would be helpful to coordinate your efforts with the counselor and other involved school personnel.

8.  Do not waver if the going initially gets tough.  That is what often happens when you try to change attitudes and behaviors that people use in their normal interactions with other people.

9.  Seek a therapist experienced in such matters if you find you cannot improve the situation.

Any questions or comments would be appreciated.

Only The Fear of Failure Can Deter Dreams

Only The Fear of Failure Can Deter Dreams

 Question

 Dr.Braccio:  My wife and teenage son were talking with me about why none of my “great ideas” ever help kocasinan eskort us.  I’ve got a good job but my ideas only help my employer.  I just never seem to put my ideas into action.  They want me to be my best and so do I.  I also worry my son will do what I do.  What’s wrong with me?

 Answer

It is amazing how many marvelously creative people with terrific ideas never put their ideas into action for themselves.  What good is a “great idea” if you do not put it into action?  Fortunately, your employer is gaining from your ideas.  Hopefully, that has translated into perks for you.  But the key thing for you and your family is that your “great ideas” begin to work for you.

The problem is that often the person has a fear of failure or the inability to take decisive action to implement the ideas.  Timidity is also a problem for some.  Always remember that dreams can only come true if we have them and are able to put them into action.  That they help your employer shows you have ideas that do work.

Motivational speakers from Wayne Dyer to Zig Zigler encourage people to put their dreams into action to make them come true.  As the Romans said, “Seize the day” (Carpe Diem).  If you do not, someone else will.

You need to sit down with your wife and son to find ways to put your “great ideas…into action”.  There are few things more exciting than planning and implementing projects from our ideas.  To see dreams come true is exciting as you create something that did not previously exist.  It literally becomes “your baby”.  Even though you may not be the next Thomas Edison or Henry Ford, you will never know what you can do if you do not actualize your dreams.

Even if you initially fail, keep trying until you succeed.  You not only will learn from each experience but it will motivate you to try again.

A good idea motored by enthusiasm, teamwork, hard work, and creativity not only has a good chance to succeed, but it will excite you and you will have a lot of fun.  Make it in

Any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me directly!

Stop Your Teen’s Bad Behavior

Question

Dr. Braccio:  Our son is in the 11th grade and is developing a bad attitude towards us.  He has generally been anamur eskort kızlar a good son over the years.  He’s attractive, smart and well liked.  This seems to be going to his head and he’s getting lippy.  My husband is ready to take everything away from him and not let him get his driver’s license which he can now get.  I’m trying to sort this out but my son will not listen to me.  My husband is willing to work with me to resolve the problem.  What do you suggest?

 Answer

The fact your son “has generally been a good son over the years” is a positive beginning.  It is much harder to change long term ingrained negative attitudes and behaviors.

The following are some suggestions on what you can do to change his attitude.

1.  Clearly spell out what you expect of him.

2.  Cleary spell out reasonable consequences if he does not do what is expected.  Make sure your expectations and consequences are reasonable and relate to things important to both you and your husband.  For a prime example, do not let him get a driver’s license until he is respectful for at least 30 days.  When he gets it then determine when he can drive based on his attitude.

3.  Have a family meeting to let him know what will be expected of him with consequences for not meeting them.  His involvement in the process will be helpful.

4.  Be consistent in your discipline.  Do not make a rule and a reasonable consequence unless you plan to implement it on a consistent basis.

5.  You and your husband need to be consistent and work together in order to effectively help your son behave appropriately.

6.  Always be ready to listen to your son.

7.  Be involved in his activities.  Involved parents have better relationships with their children and this can help overcome the normal problems that occur during the often turbulent teenage years.

I wish you the best of luck.  The key is to be consistent, fair and understanding.   This can be helped by remembering when you were young and recognizing you can best help your son by helping him be a respectful and responsible son as he “generally has been over the years”.

Please call if you have any questions.

Even The Tiniest of Lies Disrupts Family

Question

 Dr.Braccio:  My husband and I believe anamur bayan escort honesty is the most important quality to judge a person by.  Our ten and twelve year old children are generally truthful but do lie a bit about completing chores as we request and completing their homework.  They try to minimize the lies and we probably maximize them.  What do you think?

 Answer

I believe that “honesty is the best policy”.  I also agree with you about the importance of honesty.  In fact, the stature of a person is greatly diminished if we cannot believe what they say.

You cannot maximize the inappropriateness of lying.  Persons can only be judged by their integrity; and honesty is the core element.

As parents, we must model honesty and demand it of our children.  To do otherwise is ineffective parenting and ultimately will hurt their relationships with others.  Let them know the punishment will be far more severe for lying than for whatever they did not do.

Do not listen to those who say all children lie about such things and to ignore it.  To do that is both ineffective parenting and an invitation to add new areas to lie about.  Lying is flat out unacceptable in a home and everywhere else.

Human nature is such that if one does not stop negative behaviors, they become ingrained into our personalities.  It also is true that lying is easy to develop and deceptively hard to eliminate.     You simply need to think of liars you know that even though their lying hurts or destroys their relationship with others, they persist in their self-defeating behaviors.

“To lie” is not a trait one wants because the end result is have no true friends and low self-esteem.  Friendship, love, spirituality, and a healthy marriage are impossible for persons who lie to each other.

A problem the best of parents seems to have is to decide which lies are important and not important.  Live by the rule that all lies are important and unacceptable.

Even if we live in an age where lying under certain circumstances is seen as acceptable, let your home be a place where honesty thrives and grows so your children can be models of honesty for themselves and their peers.

Speaking Psychologically 9-11-12

An interesting topic could be–POSSIBLE karatay escort POSSITIVE EFFECTS OF DIVORCE–Divorce is a horrible experience under the best of circumstances. Regardless of the situation at the time of the divorce it is a time of shattered dreams of days gone by.  With that said positive effects can be–1.A new career.  2.Better self-esteem.  3.End of physical and/or emotional divorce. 4.Positive parenting experience without a negative spouse.  5.Get rid of a controlling spouse.  5.Financial independence now or in the future.

Middle School Transition Requires Studious Habits

 

Question 

Dr.Braccio:  My son is going to karatay bayan escort the middle school next year.  He’s well liked, fairly disorganized, and basically an average student without much effort.  His teacher is worried he’ll get lost in the middle school without being better organized and looking after himself without as much teacher support.  She also says he’s not working near his potential.  I agreed but am aware I’ve never done much to push him at all and have been happy with his average grades.  Now I’m worried and want some advice to help him do better next year.  His father and I are divorced but want the best for our son.  What do you suggest we do?

 Answer

 It is positive there is still time this school year to begin some of the suggestions I will make and that you and his father can work together to help him.

His teacher is helpful to advise you that he needs to be more responsible for himself in middle school.  Many children have a rude awakening when they go from a nurturing elementary to a demanding middle school environment.

The following are suggestions to help him now and in the future to prepare himself for school, achieve to his potential, and be responsible for his homework.

1.  Specific study times at home each school evening and designated weekend time as you feel necessary.  2.  Turn off the TV, radio, electronic games, and other distractions during study time.  3.  Use a daily planner.  4.  Encourage him to do well and applaud his successes.  5.  Look at his effort grades on his report card before achievement.  How hard he is trying is more important than the grade.  6.  On a daily basis, review his assignments, daily planner and give support and direction as needed.  7.  If the need arises, make available academic support to overcome areas of underachievement.  At present, this does not appear to be an issue and hopefully will not become one.  8.  Make regular contact with his teachers to better determine how he is doing and if his planner is up to date and accurate.

You will find as he becomes better organized and in a good learning routine that he will predictably take ownership for his academic performance and personal organization.  At that time, with your continued support and his ever greater success in school, he will on his own want to achieve to his potential.

Your job as a parent is to give him the tools to use to do as well as he can consistent with his ability.  You appear ready to take on this role and I strongly support your efforts.

Any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me directly.

It’s Time for Parents to Prepare for the New School Year

It’s Time for Parents to Prepare for kocasinan bayan numaraları the New School Year

 

 

Dr. Braccio talks with Tony Conley on the Tony Conley Show on 9/4/12 about parents preparing themselves and their children for the new school year.  Children and parents need a predictable environment for both to thrive successfully and even sometimes co-exist in the same home!  I can guarantee you with countless cases I have worked with that many homes are in chaos over school matters much of the time due to poor organization and communication.  Now is the time to change that.

Maximize Successes by Minimizing Time Spent on Past Failure

Question

 Dr.Braccio:  My seventeen year old daughter always seems to focus silifke escort ilanları on negatives.  She never thinks things will work out positively for her.  In spite of her many successes, she interviews for jobs badly and always feels proven right when she does not get the job or what she wants.  I also do this to some degree.  How can I help her?

 Answer

 Your daughter’s negative thoughts lead to a defeatist self-fulfilling prophecy where she fails because she is convinced she will.  Even though self-evident when you think about it, she highlights how outlooks shape what we achieve in life.  For example, one does not become a business leader by not wanting to work long hours or try to motivate and inspire other persons.

 I like to use the analogy of a bookcase with many books that encompasses all of one’s life.  Negative persons only read and reread the one book of all their failures in life.  Their successes in the many other books are ignored or minimized.  This appears to be what your daughter is doing.  It must stop now.

 The following are some suggestions to help your daughter be more positive.  It appears these suggestions could help you too.

 1.  Sensitively and directly tell your daughter her negative beliefs are creating her negative reality.  2.  Help her develop positive outlooks by use of a positive affirmation for every negative one she has.

Examples would be as follows:   Negative – “I am a dummy and will never get anywhere in life”.  Positive – “I am intelligent and can realistically be what I want to be”.  Negative – “Things will turn out badly for me”.  Positive – “Things will turn out good for me because I plan and work hard”.   Negative – “I will never get the job because I interview so badly”.  Positive – “I will get the job by being positive and showing in the interview how much I want the job and what I can do”.  Negative – “I must focus on my failures to be a realist about my poor changes for success”.  Positive – “I must be positive and focus on my successes as I work hard to add new ones to the growing list”.   Negative – “I’m negative!”  Positive – “I’m positive!”   Negative – “Success is based on luck”.   Positive – ““Success is generally based on consistently good decisions over a period of time”.   Negative.  “I’m a loser!”   Positive – “I’m a winner!”

We are what we think.  Our actions reflect our belief structure.  Your daughter thinks negatively in spite of what you call her “many successes”.  Help her focus on her successes as she works hard to add more to the list.

Even though it will be hard to change her long ingrained negative beliefs, help her by following the suggestions above.  The “new her” will help her to see her successes as natural and normal.

 You might even try to change with your daughter in a joint project.  It would be not only be helpful but great fun.

Personal Success

Dr. Braccio talks with Tony Conley on 8/14/12 about how success and failure when used appropriately can help a person have a good self-esteem.What is the meaning of personal success to every person and what is konya merkez eskort the meaning of personal failure to every person?  Of course, each is part of the process of the successful high self-esteem person.
To listen to this segment, go to our Speaking Psychologically podcast tab.