Merlino & Gonzalez - August 2023

‘BUT I DID THIS WITH MY KIDS!’

How to Set Boundaries With Your Family

your children. If they question your tactics, practice what you will say so you’re not caught off guard. But most importantly, remember why you’re establishing these boundaries and upholding those values. If your loved ones fail to respect your wishes, don’t be afraid to reinforce those boundaries — it’s okay to say no! Give your family time to adjust. Changing and creating new habits is challenging, so give your loved ones time to adjust to your boundaries. However, if you’re continuing to reinforce your wishes and still meeting pushback and disrespect, it’s okay to distance yourself or cut ties. You have to put what’s best for you and your family first. If you have any questions or concerns about establishing boundaries with your loved ones, contact a marriage and family therapist to assist you. They can provide more insight and resources to help you during this time.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to parenting, so when you become a parent, you’ll likely employ techniques you learned from family or friends and what you learned on your own. Naturally, these techniques and your preferences may differ from what your loved ones did for their children, and sometimes, it can be difficult for them to adjust. Because of this, how do you set boundaries with family members regarding your children? Be direct when communicating boundaries. Don’t assume your loved ones know or understand your parenting style. Instead, clearly state your rules, values, practices, and expectations when others are around your children. When creating physical boundaries, you can say, “Please don’t give my child soda when they visit. That’s something I don’t want them to have.” For emotional boundaries, you can say, “Please don’t force my child to hug you. If they refuse, give them their space without compromising their feelings and comfortability.” Develop a strategy for handling pushback. “I did this with my kids, and they turned out fine!” You may have heard this quote when vocalizing your wishes to loved ones about how to treat

A Textbook Won’t Do You Justice!

WHY TRAVELING IS THE BEST FORM OF EDUCATION

You gain a deeper appreciation for history. When you walk through important historical locations, you understand the past better because you’re living it! You’re walking the same roads or staring at the same landmarks that civilizations from centuries ago did. When you immerse yourself in the history of a place, you can better understand why its origins are meaningful. You leave your comfort zone. Traveling somewhere new can be nerve-wracking! You won’t know the best mode of transportation or know anyone there — you may not even speak any native languages! By leaving what makes you comfortable, you’ll learn to depend on yourself and embrace change and uncertainty. These skills can and will help you in all aspects of life. So, travel this month and learn something new! We understand you can’t drop everything just to hop on a plane to another country, so try venturing to a nearby city you’ve never visited and learning about its history.

As you mark your calendars with upcoming holidays, get-togethers, events, and school activities, there may be one you’re missing: American Adventures Month. This monthlong event encourages you to be adventurous and travel so you can better understand the world around you. While you can research online or open a book to learn more about any part of the world, nothing beats visiting these places yourself. Here are three reasons why traveling is the best form of education. You learn more about people. When you travel to other states or internationally, you can learn a lot about the culture of these places by speaking to residents. They can suggest historical places for you to visit that teach you about their heritage, lifestyle, and what life was like for their ancestors. You will think about things you’ve never considered before and have a deeper appreciation for the views of others.

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