Family Estrangement

When I was writing recently, I asked myself if I actually “walk my talk.” Am I authentic? Do I follow my own advice? Do I dedicate myself to a daily practice of the behaviors I espouse? After some serious soul searching, I realized that, although …

Yes, I’m a mother. Yes, I’m a grandmother. No, I’m not celebrated by my child or grandchildren on Mothers Day. I do, however, receive a bouquet of flowers from my son. In a text. As an emoji. Well, it’s better than nothing and more than …

This was written several years ago and still relevant. Every year when I was a child, my mother took me shopping for a new Easter outfit and, every year, I remember her saying that she hoped that Easter Sunday would be a warm day. In …

Recently I was invited to join a summit on Family Struggles. It was a wonderful experience and I thought I’d share it with you. https://www.dropbox.com/s/jkk4pfq6rifceyb/2022%20Summit%20Edit%20Klune.mp4?dl=0

As I near my 75th birthday, I ask myself what I’ve learned during my time as a visitor on planet earth.  Have I been a gracious guest, thankful for the generosity of my host? Have I cleaned up after myself, leaving my temporary home better …

Many of you are in the early stages of reconciliation. Hopefully, many more estranged parents will reconcile with their adult child. At some point, after seeing your child again, enjoying more contact, engaging in careful, mind-field avoidant conversations, your child backs away. You’re cautiously optimistic …

Human beings are creatures of habit. Habits shape our lives, our future, and our destiny.  We tend to derive comfort in the consistency of everyday activities, like drinking coffee in the morning, brushing our teeth, or reading the paper. But many habits are harmful, like …

The holiday season is very difficult for estranged parents and grandparents. If your family has long standing traditions and you’re blocked from executing and sharing these traditions, it can be a double whammy. What to do? First, I suggest taking the focus off your kids …

Prior to my family estrangement, Thanksgiving was my favorite holiday. It was gratifying to sit at a beautiful dinner table, candles lit, delicious food passed among family and friends. Following the meal, we took turns expressing what we were grateful for. Inevitably, each person said …

There was an excellent article in the New York Times recently about recognizing the difference between selflessness and generosity. If you’re a parent or a grandparent, there’s a good chance you’ve read the book “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. It’s a story about a …