My Works of Writings

Let your child decide as to which he is most comfortable with. These days, people recognize that being left-handed is perfectly natural. Left-handers are defined as people who write with their hand. Some may use either hand while others prefer different hands for different tasks. It is not surprising for a child to have no distinct hand preference at age three or four. But if he still shows no strong preference at age five, it’s because he is comfortable using both hands.

Should you change your child’s handedness as soon as he shown a preference? No, handedness is determined by his brain, not his hand. If a lefty is asked to do a task with her right, he’ll be using the weaker and less coordinated hand. In turn, he’ll be clumsy, ineffective and might tire more easily. Not only will the task be les enjoyable and rewarding, it may even affect your child’s emotions making him feel incapable.

Yesterday, watching the news while using the elliptical machine at the gym, I tried to speed up my pace by turning up the volume on the TV. I do it all the time. When it comes too multitasking, I am more competent only by a hair, and sometimes not even that. More than once, I’ve found myself standing in my bedroom closet holding, say, a screwdriver and a cup of coffee, as clueless as a sleepwalker about what I’m doing there. And I cannot answer the phone while writing an e-mail without sending the message to the wrong person- or calling the person I’m mailing. Obviously, I am especially unsuited for multitasking; but I would argue that, while most of us are doing it, none of us are doing it well. If you are playing a family board game while making cookies, are you really playing with family or driving everyone crazy by jumping up to check the oven every five minutes?

Talk to your partner about seeing one. If he is strongly against it, go on your own. Individual counseling may clarify questions and expectations in your relationship. You may learn about your reactions and behavior that directly affect the marriage. In the process, your partner may notice changes in you that would make him more open to seeing a professional too.

Some couples may be embarrassed or uncomfortable talking to a stranger about personal problems, so they seek help from trusted relatives, friends, or mentors. But if one partner sees these people to be biased, the move might prove futile or even counterproductive. Seeking help from people you know. Also poses some disadvantage. One or both partners may not feel very comfortable spilling the beans, so to speak, in front of friends or relatives. Also, these advisers may feel some pressure from other people to take sides, or feel guilty if the relationship turns for the worse.

Got butterflies on your stomach? Hitting the panic button only makes things worse. I am a habitual worrywart.  I don’t have something substantial to stew about. I’ll inflate a minor issue- like an anxiety blowup doll. I can lie awake for hours ruminating about what results I’ll get from critical medical tests, but the wrong size lasagna pan. And 3 a.m , such disparate causes mysteriously provoke equivalent agonies.

Whether you’re an inveterate worrier like me or someone who rarely loses a sleep over those nagging thoughts, the current economy is serving up more than enough category-five big deal concerns to have us all chewing our fingernails: can I make the mortgage payments? Is my job secure? Will ever be able to afford to retire? It’s open season for everybody to join me in my wee-hours obsessing. But if you have fallen victims to this hamster wheel, take heart. Even in times as troubling as these, experts say, there are ways to ease your worried mind.