Filling Up The Nest: Life and Sex After Pregnancy for Dad

Thomas expressed his fears, confusion and frustration in being a parent: Kathy, having the baby has brought so much change to our lives. How do I know I’ll be a good dad? We never used to argue very much and now I find we get into power struggles about the baby. I’m responsible for another human being. Will I be able to afford a family and be a good provider? We fight about finances, too. Mine and Claire’s relationship isn’t what it used to be. I’m confused about the feelings I have toward her body. On the one hand, I often find her voluptuous body tempting, but sometimes I…

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Restoring Your Child By Giving A Behavioral “Re-do”

By Shelley Kues, MEd, LPC, Child Therapist Peter denied Jesus three times on that awful night. Peter had every intention of doing “the right thing” earlier that evening when Jesus had predicted that Peter would disown him. Peter couldn’t imagine the events that would follow. Just like Peter, our children have good intentions to do what is right. It is my belief that our children will do well if they can. Dr. Ross Greene, author of The Explosive Child, writes that, when the demands or expectations being placed upon a child exceed the skills that they have to respond adaptively, they will respond in maladaptive ways (Greene, 2014). Dr. Greene…

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Bridge to Wholeness: Volume 1 Issue 2 September 2014

Welcome to the September 2014 Issue of the Agape newsletter, Bridge to Wholeness! Our monthly newsletter is the best way for you to keep up with what is going on around Agape, with events and updates, and articles written by our counselors. We hope it will help bring you a little bit closer to emotional, mental, and spiritual wholeness! In this issue: Parenting advice from Child Therapist, Shelley Kues, MEd, LPC 10 new counseling groups this month! How to cope with an Empty Nest by Kathryn Manley, MS, LPC, CST Autism case study from Agape Kids Column the newest office in St Charles office is now open! and much more!…

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Empty Nest: Ambivalent Emotions When Kids Leave Home

Penny (not her real name) was a vibrant mother of four. She expressed confusion, selfishness, anxiety and shame regarding her mixed emotions when her daughter left home. Kathy, we took our daughter to school last month and I’ve found myself getting more depressed ever since. It’s confusing though because I’m also excited for her! Why do I feel this way if I want her to get an education and begin the adult life that God has planned for her? I am thankful that she has opportunities ahead of her that I never had, yet part of me is jealous. I’m happy she is pursuing her dreams, but sometimes I feel…

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