Christen A. Johnson – Page 18

The first step to making a new habit become a part of your lifestyle is asking yourself, "What kind of person am I, and how do I set this habit system up for me?" said Gretchen Rubin, author of "The Four Tendencies."

Resolution already in the toilet? Here’s how to make new habits stick

January 29, 2019 at 10:03 a.m.

It’s the last week of January, and you know what that means: The resolution you solemnly swore to commit to this year has likely fallen by the wayside. But don't...

One expert says not to apologize when talking with the friend: "You were not being selfish," she said, and hopefully your friend will understand.

Visited a friend’s city but didn’t let her know? Here’s how to save the friendship

January 25, 2019 at 9:03 a.m.

Q: You visited a city where you have many friends, but you went to be alone and recharge. A friend sees one of your social media posts from the trip...

One expert suggests offering a positive suggestion and empathy to the parents as a way of limiting criticism and showing that you care about them and their child.

The birthday boy is sick. Should you tell his parents that he shouldn’t blow out the candles?

April 4, 2019 at 9:04 p.m.

Q: The birthday boy has a cold. How do you tell his parents it's not a good idea for him to blow out the candles on the cake that other...

One expert explains that "baby talk" is useful for actual babies, but as a child progresses to a different stage of language development, it is necessary for him or her to hear more adultlike speech.

How to tell a relative to quit talking ‘baby talk’ to your toddler

January 22, 2019 at 8:25 a.m.

Q: A relative keeps talking "baby talk" to your toddler. You want her to stop. How do you tell her without being rude? A: “Baby talk” is the singsong, often...

Linguist and lexicographer Ben ZImmer sees online abbreviations as tools to better express ourselves online.

OMG! TFW you finally learn the meaning of text, chat abbreviations IRL

January 31, 2019 at 4:19 p.m.

Within the thrall of the internet, letter combinations take on brand new meanings. But if you’re not too keen on the latest web and texting lingo, then interpreting shorthand messages...

While panic can be a parent's immediate reaction to a child's first bad grade, one expert says to reflect before responding and not to start immediately looking for tutors.

Your son comes home with his first F. How do you talk to him about it?

January 10, 2019 at 4:51 p.m.

Q: Your kid comes home with his first F. How do you talk to him without making him feel like a failure? A: It’s very rare that kids get F’s...

The uptick in new divorce filings usually continues through the rest of January, largely due to the hope of a clean, fresh start in the new year.

New year, stale marriage? Divorce Day brings surge in filings

January 9, 2019 at 10:04 a.m.

Some ring in the new year with Champagne at midnight. Others wait a week and partake in “Divorce Day.” The day — which comes across like a made-up, faux holiday...

Before you make a decision on putting the decoration away or keeping it out, one expert suggests factoring in the gift's decorative quality and your relationship with the gift-giver — the gift represents both, he said.

You are gifted an ugly decoration. How to tell the giver it won’t work for your house

December 28, 2018 at 9:11 a.m.

Q: Guests brought a honkin' big decoration for your house. They love it; you hate it. How do you tell them this isn't going to work for your home? A:...

The only time you should keep a piece of jewelry from an ex, one expert explained, is if you have children together who might appreciate the item. If not, let it go and move on, she said.

Your new partner comments on a piece of jewelry. Should you admit it’s from a past relationship?

July 2, 2019 at 4:27 p.m.

Q: Your partner compliments a piece of jewelry you have — it was a gift from an old relationship. Should you tell your current partner? A: Context in this scenario...

Johnny Rivers at home, Dec. 7, 2018, in the apartment he got with the help of the organization ChildServ.

‘It’s not always better than living on the street’: Couch surfing young adults part of a Chicago homeless population with unique struggles

December 28, 2018 at 3:29 p.m.

Johnny Rivers was doing everything right. For the first 18 years of his life, the Englewood native managed to overcome the disenfranchisement plaguing his neighborhood: He graduated from Jones College...

All Stories