Chris Jordan

  So, picture this: Fresh off the plane, suitcase still dusty from the baggage belt, and here I am — an optimistic immigrant starting a new chapter in Newark, New Jersey. A new city, new job, and yes, a shiny rented apartment that looked perfect  on paper . Fast forward about a week, and “perfect” had turned into “perpetually damp.” One fine morning, as I finally unpacked my last moving box, I discovered that the bathroom sink had decided to become a fountain. Water everywhere. Drip, drip, splash… you get the picture. The Landlord & Broker: The Dynamic (Disappointing) Duo Naturally, I dialed the property owner. His response? A classic American response ¯\_(ツ)_/¯, but over the phone: “Oh yeah, sorry, but that’s on you now. It was working fine when you moved in.” Right. Maybe it was also my fault the faucet was older than the building itself. Next up: the broker. After a few dozen unanswered calls, he finally replied, only to say he “just helps people find places” and “doesn...

  How Couples Therapy Works: A Human-Centered Guide Written By Chris Jordan When a romantic relationship hits rough waters, couples therapy offers more than just problem-solving — it helps rebuild connection, communication, and trust. Here’s what you can typically expect: 1. First Session & Assessment Your therapist will begin by understanding your relationship: how you met, the issues you’ve been facing, and each partner’s individual background. Some therapists may meet with each person individually to deepen their understanding before bringing you together 2. Setting Shared Goals Once the landscape is clear, you’ll work together to define specific, realistic targets — like improving communication, rebuilding trust, enhancing intimacy, or managing conflict. Clear goals keep everyone aligned and therapy focused 3. Exploring Therapy Approaches Therapists often blend several evidence-based methods depending on your needs: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Builds emotional connec...

  How Kids Grow Up Better When They are Raised with a Dog By Chris Jordan There’s something magical about the relationship between a child and a dog. It’s not just about having a furry companion to play fetch with — it’s about the countless life lessons quietly unfolding behind the wagging tail and muddy paws. As someone who’s spent years in pet care and seen this bond up close (including in my own home), I can tell you: giving your child the chance to care for a dog is one of the best things you can do for their growth. 1. Teaches Real-Life Responsibility Dogs don’t wait until it’s convenient to be fed or walked — and that’s exactly what makes them the perfect lesson in responsibility. I’ve watched my own child grow from needing reminders to proudly making sure our dog’s water bowl is full and leash is ready. They’re not just doing a chore — they’re stepping up because someone depends on them. 2. Builds Empathy and Compassion Dogs are expressive. They whine, wag, shiver, and snugg...

  Elderly Care in the DINC Culture: A Personal Reflection In today’s fast-paced, dual-income, no-kids (DINC) culture, elderly care often slips through the cracks. Many of us in this lifestyle are building careers, traveling, living independently — yet as our parents or older relatives age, we're faced with questions we may not have prepared for. I found myself in that very position not long ago. The Wake-Up Call My partner and I both work full-time. No kids, no traditional family obligations — we’ve enjoyed the flexibility that comes with that. But when my mom fell and had to stay in a rehabilitation facility for a few weeks, I realized how unprepared I was to support her emotionally, physically, and logistically. I had assumed I’d “figure it out” when the time came. But it came faster than I expected. Between work calls, insurance paperwork, checking in on her daily, and trying to coordinate with doctors and caregivers, I found myself overwhelmed and full of guilt. Not because...

  🎬 Parenthood (2010–2015) — A Tender, Messy Masterpiece About Real Family Life Review by Chris Jordan There are shows that entertain you, and then there are shows that see you. NBC’s Parenthood belongs to the latter category — it doesn't try to dazzle you with cliffhangers or perfect people. Instead, it invites you into the imperfect, beautifully tangled lives of the Braverman family. And once you're in, there's no going back. 🏡 The Premise: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Emotion Set in Berkeley, California, Parenthood centers around the sprawling Braverman clan — parents Zeek and Camille and their four adult children: Adam, Sarah, Crosby, and Julia. Each has their own career ambitions, parenting challenges, emotional baggage, and heartwarming wins. The show explores everything from special needs parenting, divorce, career burnout, adoption, teenage rebellion, illness, and — above all — love . There's no central character because the family is the characte...

The Great Juggle: Finding Harmony Between Parenthood, Passion, and a Paycheck. The Modern Balancing Act Gone are the days when life followed a linear path: finish school, get a job, raise a family, retire. In today’s America, many of us wear multiple hats — parent, professional, partner, dreamer — and switching between them can feel like a full-time job in itself. The question is no longer “Can we have it all?” but “How do we balance it all without losing ourselves in the process?” Whether you're a mother navigating her creative side while raising toddlers or a father managing a start-up from the living room while being present for school pickups, finding harmony among the roles of parent, individual, and professional is a deeply perso nal — and deeply relatable — journey. Let’s explore how real people across the United States are finding this elusive balance and the lessons we can all take from their stories. 1. Jasmine's Story – The Artist Mom from Austin, TX Jasmine...

  How School Kids Can Use AI Effectively—Without Killing Their Thinking and Creativity In today’s digital world, AI is everywhere—from the tools we use in class to the apps we play with at home. For school-age children, AI offers exciting new opportunities to learn faster , explore deeper , and create more freely . But here’s the challenge: if not used wisely, AI can do more harm than good, making kids overly dependent and taking away the magic of original thinking. So how do we strike a healthy balance? In this blog, we’ll explore smart ways for school kids to use AI effectively —as a helper, not a crutch. 1. Use AI as a Brainstorming Buddy—Not a Copy Machine AI tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini can be awesome for helping students generate ideas , outline essays , or spark creative writing prompts . But they shouldn’t be used to write assignments from start to finish. Smart Tip: Ask AI questions like: “Can you give me three ideas for a story about space travel?” “W...