A recent client, JoAnne, has given me permission to share some of her journal notes. She is a sweetheart to open up to the whole world. She writes so that others will know they are not alone if they are feeling pain after an abortion. Journalling her pain was a way JoAnne began a journey to peace.
Will I be a bad mother now that I’ve had an abortion? Women who have voluntarily terminated a pregnancy struggle with becoming a mother for the first time, if it was the first pregnancy that was aborted. Because it is not culturally accepted to talk about or grieve a pregnancy loss due to abortion, there can be a lot of guilt, sadness and mixed emotions for women with an abortion history.
Should I tell My Children I’ve had an Abortion? Many women who have voluntarily terminated a pregnancy wonder if they should share their abortion history with their children. There are a few things to consider before you make this decision. Here are a few suggestions to think about. 1).Is there a reason to share this information with your children?
Should I tell my boyfriend or fiance that I've had an abortion? Women who have voluntarily terminated a pregnancy often wonder how widely they should share their secret. As they get on with their life and if the person they had the abortion with is no longer in the picture, they wonder if they should share their abortion history with subsequent significant relationships.
Is it OK to talk about my abortion? Glamour Magazine offered an article (February '09) that almost knocked me off my feet. I was really shocked when the magazine actually had a piece that has been my own personal soapbox for years. You can read the article titled, "Abortion: The Serious Health Decision Women Aren't Talking About Until Now" by typing in this url:
Bloggers note: I often use the term "vpt" or voluntary pregnancy termination for the word abortion. I believe this takes the political argument out of the heart issue of abortion. A common response for women who have chosen abortion is that they are “so angry.” This emotion of anger seems to blind-side a person who has voluntarily terminated a pregnancy. This can also be confusing for your partner. He "thought" this is what you wanted. Well, maybe so did you!
By Lisa Kift
If you're like many other couples, texting has become a daily form of communication. You might even forgo talking on the phone - in lieu of texting. As a couples therapist, I've seen texting in relationships go awry more than a few times but I'm convinced it can be a productive and in fact loving way to stay in touch. In fact, if you know what you're doing, texting can often serve as a "relationship check-in" with your partner -&nbs
Men are much more emotional than women (or men) can understand. - Mary Jo Rapini I just got back from a trip to Brazil. It was a work/pleasure vacation for my husband and me. We spent the majority of our time in Florianopolis. A beautiful Island connected to the mainland by a bridge. One morning my husband and I had just gotten back to the hotel room and we were both standing side by side looking out the window at the incredible beauty.
By Joe Palmer
That first kiss — oh, sometimes so magical! Other times it's completely evident that it will be the last. There are the passionate, let's-rip-each-other's-clothes-off type kisses, and then there are the perfunctory, seemingly meaningless pecks on the cheek. Some folks just want to bypass the kissing and get to the more physical activities. And, once they get there, kissing can serve to either enhance or interrupt. What's in a kiss for you?
I'd like to give a special shout-out to Hannah Marcotti and her amaaazing program The Joy Up which was the inspiration for this post. If she offers The Joy Up again......y'all should get in on it. It came as huge news to me a few years ago when I learned that it isn't actually possible to be happy all the time. I was stunned. And confused.
