My mother-in-law, Phoebe, has severe Alzheimer’s and has lived in a full-care residence for two years. She and my father-in-law, Sheldon, had a close and loving relationship, so it is particularly sad that she no longer recognizes him or any of us. We’re glad she is well cared for where she is. My problem regards […]
Author: Dr. Karen Rancourt
Karen L. Rancourt, Ph.D., has over 50 years of varied experience. She began her career an elementary school teacher, went on to become a college professor, management consultant to Fortune 100 companies, career coach, and author of six books and a dozens of articles. Dr. Rancourt has helped thousands of parents, professionals and grandparents make important relationship decisions.
Ask Dr. Gramma Karen: Grandmother Is Too Generous
My mother and I never had any conflict at all about my two children (her grandchildren) until after my father died and she got a very small inheritance. Before that, she and my dad were generous with their gift giving at holidays and birthdays, and we all enjoyed it. But since my father died, she […]
Ask Dr. Gramma Karen: Grandmother Denied Access to Grandson
When my daughter, Mandy, was nine months pregnant, her boyfriend was sentenced to six months of work release. She had the baby and stayed with us for several months. I did all I could to help take care of my grandson, Peter, who was a fussy baby. After my daughter moved back to her own […]
Ask Dr. Gramma Karen: Advice for Interacting with Adolescents
Of late, my wife and I have been trying to understand and be better prepared to deal with our adolescent children’s behavior, especially our 15-year-old son’s changing and often-inexplicable behavior. Fortunately for us, we came across the work of Daniel Siegel, M.D. After watching some of his YouTube presentations and reading his book Brainstorm, it […]
Grandfather Wants to Keep Advanced Disease from His Family
My husband Carl was just diagnosed with a serious disease and has been told he probably will not live beyond 18 months or so. He has opted for no treatment, no experimental drugs. He said he wants to enjoy whatever time he has left and will just focus on pain management. His doctors are supportive. […]
Ask Dr. Gramma Karen: Change Traditions and Lower Your Holiday Dinner Stress
Dear Readers, Psychology Today blogger Susan Newman, Ph.D., invited me to be a guest blogger. Below is the unabridged article that will soon be posted in Psychology Today. Perhaps there is a suggestion or two that can help lower your holiday pressure! Change Traditions and Lower Your Holiday Dinner Stress Traditions are customs and practices […]
Ask Dr. Gramma Karen: My Father-In-Law’s Gun Hobbies Are Distressing
My father-in-law is a serious hunter; he is even listed in the NRA (National Rifle Association) record books. Many of the animals he has shot are mounted around his home. In fact, I find it quite disturbing that one of the animals he hunted, a bear, is located right next to where he sets up […]
Ask Dr. Gramma Karen: Mother-in-Law Bad-Mouths Her Daughter-in-Law
When Garrison and I married 30 years ago, it was clear that my mother-in-law (MIL) thought her son was “marrying down.” Garrison said then, and has always said, I should ignore her because she’s a hopeless snob and she’ll never accept me. Even so, I have always been polite and respectful to my MIL, while […]