Ever since news of the COVID-19 virus broke out and the number of infected people in Malaysia began increasing, people have been stressing out about the well being of themselves and their family members. So what can we do to relieve some of these pressures and maybe even to create some fun memories with the family during this time?

Chinese New Year is just around the corner and with it comes relatives with the well-meaning barrage of questions.“Got boyfriend already, ah?” “Aiyah, why no children yet?” “You lost your job?” For most, this flurry of questions is normal but what about those who have just suffered a relationship break-up, dropped out of school, or lost a job? Or those who are still, despite trying hard, unable to find a life-partner or have children of their own? What might family gatherings be like for them?

The question “What career should I pick?” is a daunting question especially for 16-18 year olds as they exit high school and start looking into college or university programs. There is much riding on making the right choice especially with the prices of good education increasing. Many parents and children struggle with making this decision. During this period, there is a high risk of disagreement and conflict as the clash of minds, wills, and personalities take place because of the arduous and often difficult task of choosing a career path. That being said, there is hope! Here are the AEIOU’s to making career decisions with your teens:

Some time back, I met a British expat who had moved from Beijing to Kuala Lumpur with his partner. He learned about my occupation as a marriage and family therapist and asked, “Do you think moving to a different country with your partner can inject a healthy fresh-start to your relationship?” I replied, “It depends.”