This is part of a continuing series of columns providing life coaching tips for readers' questions about relationships, intimacy, parenting, grandparenting, marriage, communication, problem co-workers, and related issues. You are invited to submit your questions.
To Ask A Coach, e-mail Patt@HireCoach.com, or mail your relationship coaching question to Patt Hollinger Pickett, Ph.D., Licensed Marital/Family Therapist, c/o HireCoach, 1000 Lake Saint Louis Blvd. #200, Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367. Questions selected for this column may be edited for brevity or clarity. Sorry, individual responses cannot be provided; however, coaching services are available by phone. Call 877-HireCoach (447-3262) to schedule an appointment or for more information.
Coaching tips are offered as potential options to consider and not advice. Life coaching is not a substitute for therapy, legal/medical/spiritual advice, or related services. Be sure to consult other professionals as appropriate.
| A Permission Slip from Her |
| QUESTION: My significant other and I have great relationship but... I feel like I need a permission slip from her before I make plans with friends or get away for a weekend fishing trip. When I set my plans before I tell her the details, she becomes upset with me. Although she says I do not need permission, it sure feels like it. Any thoughts? |
 ANSWER: A Permission Slip from Her© |
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| Flirting, Friendship, or Emotional Cheating? |
| QUESTION: My friend and I disagree about what people call "emotional cheating." I think two married coworkers are having an emotional affair. She believes there's no such thing as an emotional affair. She says they just have a close friendship and are simply flirting. Do emotional affairs exist ? Do they count as infidelity? |
| ANSWER: Flirting, Friendship, or Emotional Cheating?© |
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| Being A Good Communicator |
| QUESTION: My significant other and I have an ongoing struggle with communication on touchy subjects. I'll say something and then she twists it around and tries to tell me what I meant. She's often wrong, so I try to restate what I meant using different words. She nails me saying that I can't change my words around to get out of trouble. She thinks she is a good communicator. How can I win? |
| ANSWER: Being A Good Communicator© |
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| Child Discipline #1: Don't Make It a Shame |
| QUESTION: I have always heard that you should not call a child a "bad boy/girl" when he/she does something wrong. What difference does it actually make? It's only an expression used to get their attention. Isn't it just splitting hairs with words? |
| ANSWER: Don't Make It a Shame© |
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