Advice for Parents by Doris Smeltzer

New Year's resolutions--no more!

Beginning in third grade and continuing into my mid-thirties, every New Year began with a resolution to lose weight. The fact that every diet I'd ever tried eventually led to failure, with the lost weight always returning, did not register on my "this is ridiculous" radar screen. Each year I would lose those hated pounds and each year, as predictable as the sunrise, I would regain the weight and then some.

Wishing you the happiest of holidays

We'll be leaving soon for our daughter's ... we're celebrating Christmas a few days early to avoid attempting to grab some private time during the big gathering on the 26th.  Before leaving, I was

The significance of the dragonfly

In last week's blog, I shared how I'd decorated the first tree we've had since Andrea's death with the assortment of dragonfly pins and earrings friends have so kindly given to me over the years. I continue to wear all of these but it has been sweet to give them up for a few weeks in order to enjoy them in this way. Above is a photo of our little tree.

Reflections on the holidays

This holiday season is somehow different. It has been ten and a half years since Andrea's death (I know I've said this before, but how is that possible??) Honestly, I believed that I would not be here to see a tenth Christmas, a tenth New Year. The thought of being able to survive the holidays without Andrea was inconceivable. And yet, we have.

Happy Holidays!

Many eating disorder (ED) web sites and ED blogs contain discussions and tips on how to survive the holidays. I was recently asked to write a brief "tip" for local high school PE Teachers to send home with their students. I share it with you here: