When Mercy Hurts: Cdl. Kasper and the Soft Clericalism of Low Expectations.

Last updated on: October 9, 2014 at 3:03 pm By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

There has been a lot of talk lately about the need for the Church to be merciful in the application of its teachings. That’s hard to argue with. In fact, I heartily agree that finding ways to be both positive and pastoral when articulating the teachings of the Church–especially as it relates to the difficult topics of sex, marriage and family life– is of paramount importance. As someone who is responsible for conducting/supervising over 10,000 hours/year of pastoral counseling services... Read more

Help For Struggling Couples

Last updated on: October 8, 2014 at 3:59 pm By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

My newest book, When Divorce is Not an Option: How to Heal Your Marriage and Nurture Lasting Love is a resource for people who want to save their marriage (even if their spouse doesn’t want to). It examines the 8 habits happy couples exhibit in their relationship and teaches readers how to develop those habits. Here’s the publisher’s description. God has put you and your spouse together for a reason and it’s not to argue. You are bonded together to... Read more

Toddlers Adjust Behavior Around Angry Adults

Last updated on: October 7, 2014 at 2:24 pm By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

Children as young as 15 months can detect anger when watching other people’s social interactions and then use that emotional information to guide their own behavior. When kids say “the darnedest things,” it’s often in response to something they heard or saw. This sponge-like learning starts at birth, as infants begin to decipher the social world surrounding them long before they can speak. The study found that when toddlers watched an argument between two adults they either became more reluctant... Read more

Family Synod Update

Last updated on: October 7, 2014 at 12:23 pm By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

Two stories grabbed me about the opening of the Synod. The first is about a discussion that asks if there is a better way to explain Church teaching than by using such negative, loaded language as “intrinsically disordered” “grave” “intrinsically evil” etc. The second is a story of how the Church might help families live and pass on the faith. What do you hope the Synod will address? What recommendations would YOU make if you were one of the advisor... Read more

Extraordinary Synod on the Family Round-up

Last updated on: October 3, 2014 at 11:35 pm By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

The Extraordinary Synod on the Family begins this weekend. Here are some of the posts I’ve written over the last few months on the synod. To see more great writing on the Synod by my fellow Patheos bloggers, go here! The Synod: What is it? Who Cares? Pope Francis Calls Extraordinary Synod on the Family Why Is the Family So Important Anyway?– The Catholic Channel Symposium on the Extraordinary Synod for the Family. Sesame Street Tells Lies that Hurt Kids... Read more

NC Register says, “Just Married” Is Just the Thing for Couples of All Ages

Last updated on: October 1, 2014 at 9:48 am By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

At the National Catholic Register, Sara Reinhard posted a lovely review of Lisa and my book, Just Married: The Catholic Guide to Surviving & Thriving in the First 5 Years of Marriage. Sometimes, the wedding bells aren’t even done ringing before you start to wonder just what you’ve gotten yourself into. Greg and Lisa Popcak’s Just Married (Ave Maria Press, 2013) is a frank look at how you can stay on the roller coaster that the first five years... Read more

All Shook Up: “Therapy Better than Meds for Overcoming Anxiety.” Says Major Study

Last updated on: September 29, 2014 at 7:45 pm By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

About a week-and-a-half ago, I taped a series on Women of Grace with Johnnette Benkovic on anxiety and my book, God Help Me, This Stress Is Driving Me Crazy! Finding Balance through God’s Grace. At the time, I asserted that while most people only receive medication by way of treatment for anxiety disorders, medication is simply less effective than therapy. On the show, I said that anyone who has an anxiety disorder and is not receiving therapy is not receiving... Read more

Yes, There IS a Catholic Way to Parent. Here’s Why.

Last updated on: September 26, 2014 at 12:30 pm By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

Is there a Catholic way to parent? It really depends upon what you mean by the question. If you mean, “Is there an approved list of preferred parenting methods the Church requires that we use for child rearing?” Well then, of course the answer is “certainly not!” But if you mean, “Does our Catholic faith ask parents to have a mindset about parenting that reflects the Church’s unique vision of family life and make choices that are mindful of that... Read more

Do Your Kids Get Along? Sibling Bullying Serious Threat to Kids’ Mental Health

Last updated on: September 24, 2014 at 7:58 am By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

Our Church teaches us that families are called to be “Schools of Love and Virtue” where children learn all the virtues that help them live life as a gift. For a significant number of children the story may be very different. Children who are bullied by siblings several times a week in early adolescence are twice as likely to become clinically depressed as young adults, according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics. The bullied kids are also twice... Read more

Only 1 in 4 Kids with ADHD Is Getting the Right Treatment–Is Yours?

Last updated on: September 24, 2014 at 8:00 am By Rachael Popcak and Dr. Gregory Popcak

Evidence shows that children with ADHD do better and can take lower doses of stimulant medications when they receive behavioral therapy along with ADHD drugs. “Treatment of ADHD in children generates lots of controversy, primarily because of potential for overuse and abuse of stimulant medications,” said Dr. Walid F. Gellad, the study’s lead author and an adjunct scientist at RAND, a nonprofit research organization. “We wanted to find out among those who receive ADHD medications, how many are also receive... Read more