Too often we hear that parents are frustrated with children not knowing the value of money. Here are some easy ways to teach them: Give your child an allowance that is based on their age and make the allowance conditional on completing basic chores like making their bed, keeping their room tidy, etc. Don’t be afraid to explain to your children how much things cost and tell them in terms of their allowance, i.e. this item costs 10 weeks of allowance. Encourage your child to save their own money to buy items they want. They see how much work is involved and learn to make financial choices and priorities. The younger you start teaching your kids about money, the easier it will be as they grow. Open a bank account for your child and encourage them to actively participate in making deposits. Collect loose change and let your child count and wrap coins for deposit into their account. For older children, you can encourage them to work at part-time jobs – babysitting, snow shovelling, lawn chores or paper routes. They learn responsibility and earn money for the things they want. It’s important that we are able to teach our children to know the value of money and the pitfalls of credit/debt.

Unraveling the fabric of a shared life is rarely simple or easy. Even the most amicable divorces involve tremendous emotional and financial upheaval. And the reason that it can be so difficult to endure is that the most immediate and profound effect of divorce is loss: Loss of a shared future Loss of financial and emotional security Loss of shared experiences Loss of familiar routines Loss of possessions Loss of friendships Loss of children Loss of identity Recognizing and accepting loss is a giant step toward recovery. In many ways, a divorce is the death and rebirth of your own life. It’s a journey that can take years to complete. During this process you can expect to feel a mix of difficult emotions, the most common of which are: Anger Grief Anxiety Feelings of insecurity Fear Hopelessness Regret While coping with these emotions can be painful, they are normal. The key to getting back on your feet is to deal with your situation in the most positive and constructive manner possible. Here are some tips to set you up for success: Deal with legalities quickly Once the decision to divorce has been made, finalize it as quickly as possible. Drawn out battles delay closure, add to expenses, and drain emotional energy. Avoid unnecessary conflict Do everything you can to keep the line of communication open with your spouse. Never threaten or take legal action when you are angry or upset. Be open to mediation and negotiation. Keeping disputes out of the court system usually results in cleaner and more amicable resolutions. Hiring adversarial lawyers often escalates conflict, and the resulting ill will can carry negative consequences far into the future. Seek support Don’t be afraid to lean on friends and family for support. It is not uncommon for mutual friends to pick sides. They may not make obvious statements about it, but don’t chase friends. Instead, rely upon those who care about you. Use other resources as well – your religious community, support groups like Parents without Partners, even professional therapy. All can play a positive role in helping you get back on track. Take care of yourself Use routine to counteract the destabilizing forces set in motion by divorce. Get plenty of rest—exhaustion can magnify emotional responses—and go to bed at the same time each night. Avoid using drugs and alcohol as coping or avoidance mechanisms. Be sure to eat right and exercise for a short time each day in order to stay fresh and keep your head clear. Refocus your energy Explore new interests and hobbies—activities that broaden your social circle are best. Read a book you’ve been meaning to get around to. Make a change around the house by painting a room, changing your landscaping, or rearranging the furniture. Now is a good time to make a few changes to your life in order to fill the void of loss. Cut yourself a break While it’s important to admit to and learn from the mistakes you’ve made, beating yourself up over them is never helpful. Forgive yourself and forgive your spouse if you can. Things may look hopeless today, but you can—and will—move on to brighter days with intention and commitment to making it happen.

Like all things involving humans, substance use is complex (not just “good” or “bad”) and has the potential to both help and harm. What’s more, the effects of using substances are not uniform but unique to each individual. Written by the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, this is a workbook to help someone think about their relationship with substances. The worksheets include information and activities about identifying risks and harm of substance misuse, increasing motivation to change and providing various tips and tools for coping strategies. Go to the online Workbook

As a manager, you have both the power and the responsibility to see your employees through stressful and uncertain times. Here are 11 ways you can help—starting today! 1. Shut down rumor mill. Fear reigns during difficult economic environments. Right now your employees are speculating, gossiping, expressing their fears to each another, reading negative headlines and hearing tales of downsizing from friends and neighbors. Don't allow a culture of paranoia to add to employee stress. Squelch rumors and misinformation immediately and be as frank with your employees as possible, including admitting to uncertainty if you don’t have immediate answers. 2. Be positive and upbeat. Even in bad environments there are nuggets of good news to focus on. Build up your employees. Right now, they need it. Never use distressing economic conditions as a whip to drive employees harder. You may see temporary gains, but over the long term this will have the opposite effect of lowered productivity, loyalty, and morale. You are also likely see your health care costs rise as stressed employees begin experiencing work-related health problems. 3. Remove roadblocks. Employees being forced to do more with less may feel overwhelmed and victimized. Positive reinforcement and feedback empowers employees to take on more. Intervene early and often when “the system” or bureaucracy (the part you can control) becomes an impediment to success. 4. Focus on helping employees improve time management. Increased workloads and responsibility can cause paralysis in otherwise reliable, productive employees. Set clear expectations and be proactive about prioritizing. 5. Use non-monetary rewards when budgets are tight. Let a hard worker knock off a couple hours early on a nice Friday afternoon (make it a surprise*) or give away a coveted parking space to an outstanding performer. Be sure to praise sincerely and publicly for a job well done. 6. Allow some time during the day for socializing and blowing off steam. Be the initiator. Employees know it's okay when the boss does it first. 7. Tailor your interactions to each employee's unique personality and interests. Now is your opportunity to delve deeper and get to know each individual on a more personal level (short of involving yourself in personal problems.) The better you know them, the more you’ll know how to help them succeed in challenging times. 8. Add calming foods to your office/work kitchen. Diet has a big impact on mood. Let employees reach for foods high in complex carbohydrates or vitamin B6 like green tea, chocolate, bananas, yogurt, and whole grain products. 9. Brighten your interior. A fresh coat of light colored paint can do wonders for the office mood. Arrange furniture so that it's comfortable, inviting, and encourages face-to-face interaction. 10. Encourage employees to personalize their space. Downsizing and cutbacks are sometimes necessary, but the impersonal nature of them can crush staff morale. Allowing employees to “own” their space restores their identities and gives them some measure of control over their environment. 11. Build a culture of teamwork. Show that you're serious by rewarding teamwork and fiercely discouraging cut-throat tactics against fellow workers. Adopt a “We’re good enough to overcome this!” attitude that emphasizes group goals.

What's with Weed?--Check Your Cannabis is an 16-question survey, that can be taken anonymously, to help participants understand how their marijuana use may be affecting their health and lifestyle. Click here to access the survey.

Dr. John Gottman is a researcher who has specialized in there area of couples and relationships. This talk is part 1 of of a 4 part series on Making Relations Work. This was filmed at a Seattle Rotary Meeting in October 2009.

I’m seriously thinking about suicide. What should I do? If you are thinking about suicide, you are not alone. This resource provides information to help better understand suicidal thoughts, what you do to decrease suicidal thinking, and help you create a plan to stay safe. Click to download PDF