The Poker.

    Therapists who are just starting out are often amazed at how many of their clients happen to be dealing with the exact same issue as they are. It's really just a form of projection and the longer you do it the less it's supposed to happen. I think what causes it is that whatever is on your mind seems to be the most easy to notice. Well, a similar thing has been happening to me lately. I've been playing a lot of (free) online poker just for fun. Because of this, I'm starting to notice lessons learned while playing poker are applying to almost everywhere in my life.
     I'm told the key to playing good poker is not in the cards, but in the betting. Knowing when to fold, what to risk, and who your opponents are. This really can apply to my life; especially when it comes to picking my battles. This may be the answer I was looking for with a post from a couple of days ago ( The Acceptance.). The "discussions" (fights) I'm sure to have with my daughter at some point are important. It's also important that I set clear and reasonable boundaries, reward her when she does well, and try to be as understanding as possible when it's appropriate. But there are also times I should just let stuff go. In other words, I should fold. If the pot isn't that big, and my hand's not all that great, I need to be able to evaluate when it's an issue worth betting on, or if I should just toss in my cards and let her have the tiny victory. I know it's not supposed to be a contest, but you parents out there have to admit: there are times when it feels like you have to "win". That sounds like a contest to me. I guess a big difference between poker and parenting is that if I play my cards right in parenting, everyone gets more chips, not just me. If it wasn't that way, any victory would feel pretty hollow.