Stressful Times

Family separations are difficult. Repeated separations are more difficult. Children grow while a parent is absent. Even though not single parents, it feels like it. Trying to "reintegrate" into one's family is a challenge that sometimes goes well and sometimes is difficult. Sometimes sons don't have fathers around and daughters the same. Wives and husbands don't have each other. One cannot overestimate the power of a holiday to relieve stress. In honor of our Presidents know that many military families are enjoying a day together, sometime visiting extended family, sometime just hanging out together. These are stressful times and they may be so for you also. Use holidays to reconnect, to enjoy again each other, to dedicate important time on Monday to rebond and rebuild family relationships -- even if some members might think they don't want to do it. Uh, just do it? Dr. D.