Have you ever experienced receiving criticism from someone you hardly knew–and, who hardly knew you? It’s a strange situation, isn’t it? I think so. I wonder if they think it is a way to build intimacy in a relationship that is barely past the acquaintance stage? Or, is it an attempt Continue Reading →
Leaving a Hijackal™–that relentlessly difficult person who hijacks the relationship for his or her own purposes–can be a double-edged sword. Hijackals scavenge the relationship for power, status, and control, and leave you feeling discouraged, demeaned, and disempowered. You finally recognize the need to leave, and then what? In my Facebook Continue Reading →
Do people treat you shabbily? Do you feel put-down, ignored, and walked over? You need boundaries, strong, clear, expressed, and maintained boundaries. You need to believe you have the right to take up space and draw breath on this earth, and teach people how to treat you. Are you ready Continue Reading →
If you were raised by a Hijackal™ parent, deep down, you know you’re not fine. You say you are, but you’re not. Maybe, you can’t even put your finger on how you know you’re not. I want to help with that. You may not have all five of these deep-down Continue Reading →
Hindsight is excellent. You know that. One of the hardest things to see when you’re falling in love is those red flags. You want to fall in love. It’s wonderful. It’s magical. Nothing should get in its way. Not even a Hijackal™*! Those red flags may not have been waving Continue Reading →
Is what you’re going through–or watching someone else go through–just a rough patch or actually abuse? Too many people put up with bad behaviors they make excuses for, and put up with, that are really abusive and need to stop! Recognize abuse when it’s happening. No one likes to think Continue Reading →
Infuriating, right? A difficult partner, likely a Hijackal™, refuses to take responsibility for anything that is not praise-worthy. S/he will step right in if they can take credit for something good. But, when something goes sideways, it’s all you, all your fault. And, that’s just one infuriating thing that goes Continue Reading →
Do you trust yourself? Can you count on yourself? Do you keep your promises to yourself? Do you trust that you have what it takes no matter what life presents? It’s absolutely essential to trust yourself if you want to find, create, or experience an emotionally safe and healthy relationship Continue Reading →
Mother’s Day is coming. Are you looking forward to that day with Mom now that you’re grown and flown? Here are some tips to resolving relationship problems. Continue Reading →
You are kind, patient, considerate, compassionate, and nice. Perfect Hijackal Bait! Sure, all people with those traits are not Hijackal Bait, but, if you’ve been around Hijackals in your growing up years, you may be normalized to accommodating the unkind, obnoxious, and demanding behavior of other people. If that’s the Continue Reading →