...My neighbor's son goes to a local day orphanage. She chose this particular day care because it has "sunny yellow walls and the toys looked clean." This was her standard for the people who would raise her child. This day care recently acquired a three year old Chinese boy, whose parents are recent immigrants from China to attend medical school at a local university. This boy speaks no English. More >>

Recently, I received some very bad news about a friend. A year ago, she was diagnosed with lung cancer.  She never smoked and was very physically active, religious, positive personality and never even used a curse word. I called her every day as she went through surgery and chemo. It looked like all was good.  But it wasn't, and it isn't. This cancer is aggressive, and spread even in the soup of strong chemotherapy.  Now they've told her they cannot operate.  She will have radiation every day for seven weeks and then be on chemo daily for the rest of her life. More >>

When I was a boy, one of my favorite times of year was early September. Why? Because it was then I could look forward to returning to school (later, college)... More >>

Help your children take healthy, productive steps toward their 21st century adult lives this school year... More >>

Those of you who listen regularly to my radio program know I am big on tolerance.  For example, I tell callers who are bemoaning a parent or other relative's annoying behavior to play "Stepford" human being and just smile and be nice.  If, however, that relative is evil, now that's not to be tolerated.  But being annoyed or likewise offended by stupid comments, quirky behavior, irritating demands, or odd habits is a waste of time and emotion.  Everyone has his or her quirks.  And when you live in a country like the United States of America - a salad of cultures and personalities with the freedom of self-expression - there's always going to be something to be surprised or offended by. More >>

Whenever we change a behavior (i.e., developing an exercise program, working at losing weight) it's not uncommon to start out all "gung-ho" and then slip back into old habits.  That's the challenge facing one listener: More >>

I've been sitting "shiva" for the past four weeks after I issued my apology for using a word on this radio program that I should not have used. I've let the hounds of fury misinterpret and misrepresent my apology, as well as my decision to end my syndicated radio program at the end of the year.  I've been asked why didn't I strike back?  Frankly, with folks like Al Sharpton and Howard Stern and Wanda Sykes and organizations like Media Matters, the NAACP, and the Urban League (to name only a few) pelting me with insults, calling me a racist, saying "good riddance".....it was hard to get a word in edgewise. More >>

Many parents have children who go to bed, but have problems falling asleep and staying in bed.  There are many different types of bedtime hassles parents may experience. At least two of them occur after the child is in bed. Here are some tips for handling them...  More >>

The issue of envy is so important it made it into the Ten Commandments, worded as "thou shalt not covet..." Unfortunately, it is probably the most abused of the Commandments and a major human vice, leading to a heck of a lot of misery for those who simply have worked hard to attain whatever they have and whoever they've become. I get irritated when people either "luck" into good fortune or abuse values and slip into good fortune anyway.  I never have a problem, however, with someone (whether I like them or not) who has worked hard and is earning whatever it is they have.  I admire and respect hard work.  It's as simple as that. More >>

Social isolation [loneliness] is as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, being an alcoholic, not exercising, and twice as harmful as obesity. Bottom line:  The lack of social support should be added to the short list of risk factors for an early grave.  More >>