Category Archives: Raising Children

LESSONS FROM THE CHAIN GANG, REFLECTIONS ON THE PAST, by Art Smukler

Posted on October 9, 2019 by artsmuklermd

I belong to Plato, a group in Los Angeles devoted to learning. As the editor of the monthly newsletter, I was called upon to write my bi-monthly editor’s note. Given that today is Yom Kippur, a day of reflection, I … Continue reading →

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Posted in Psychiatry, Raising Children, Self Examination, Uncle Bill's Place, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

WHEN TRUMP DIES, WHERE WILL HIS SOUL GO? by Art Smukler MD, author & psychiatrist

Posted on April 7, 2019 by artsmuklermd

I don’t believe in god or a higher power or that one religion is superior to another religion; so for me, the term soul is used in a philosophical manner. What does the afterlife hold in store for a man … Continue reading →

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Posted in Bullying, Childhood Trauma, Politics, Raising Children, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

WHAT’S THE SECRET REASON PEOPLE EITHER HATE OR LOVE TRUMP? Art Smukler MD, author & psychiatrist

Posted on February 17, 2019 by artsmuklermd

Like the main part of an iceberg, hidden from view under the dark icy water, our unconscious mind, hidden from consciousness by defenses like denial and repression, is the real bulwark behind our feelings and actions. Freud theorized that access … Continue reading →

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Posted in Bullying, Politics, Psychiatry, Raising Children, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

IDOLATRY IS STILL PART OF OUR EVERYDAY LIVES, by Art Smukler, author & psychiatrist

Posted on April 9, 2018 by artsmuklermd

Ancient civilizations used inanimate objects, animals, and multiple gods to pledge their allegiance and find solace in life’s travails. Obviously there were many! No microwaves. No Netflix. No Facebook. No coronary stents. No Middle East crisis. No Trump lookalikes. Well, … Continue reading →

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Posted in Bullying, Politics, Psychiatry, Raising Children, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH TO SUCCESS, By Art Smukler MD, author & psychiatrist

Posted on December 29, 2017 by artsmuklermd

Everyone has a theory on how to be successful — work hard, save money, make careful decisions, listen to your parents, don’t listen to your parents, be true to yourself, get a college degree, follow your heart, don’t be risk … Continue reading →

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Posted in Psychiatry, Raising Children, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

LESSONS FROM THE CHAIN GANG, by Art Smukler, author & psychiatrist

Posted on March 16, 2017 by artsmuklermd

Recently, I decided to clean up and reorganize our backyard. We have a number of 50-year-old Spanish clay pots that were left by the previous owners and were sitting in the wrong places. Some of the pots easily weighed a … Continue reading →

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Posted in Psychiatry, Raising Children, Self Examination, Uncle Bill's Place | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

DONALD TRUMP, I ADMIT I AM OBSESSED, by Art Smukler MD, author & psychiatrist

Posted on May 7, 2016 by artsmuklermd

The truth is that for many of us, it doesn’t matter what Donald Trump’s stance on the political issues might be. What matters is that Donald Trump shows no respect or sensitivity towards others. He is a “shock-jock” who takes … Continue reading →

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Posted in Bullying, Childhood Trauma, Politics, Psychiatry, Raising Children, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

COURAGE? WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE IT? THOUGHTS ON BRUCE JENNER, by Art Smukler author & psychiatrist

Posted on April 25, 2015 by artsmuklermd

Being first is a national pastime. The World Cup, the World Series, the Super Bowl, and now being the first celebrity to announce being transgender has taken society to a new and more inclusive level.  To be different used to … Continue reading →

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Posted in Childhood Trauma, Psychiatry, Raising Children, Self Examination, Uncle Bill's Place, World events, a psychological view | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

IN DEALING WITH IRAQ, WHAT CAN OUR GOVERNMENT LEARN FROM A BASIC CHILD REARING TECHNIQUE? by Art Smukler, author & psychiatrist

Posted on June 25, 2014 by artsmuklermd

Children are often willful, out of control and want what they want when they want it. Trying to reason with a two-year-old is pointless. Firm, reasonable limits need to be set. Naturally, the child is enraged, but soon he understands … Continue reading →

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Posted in Psychiatry, Raising Children, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

OMG IS CAPTAIN CORPORATE AMERICA ABOUT TO SAVE US AND OUR CHILDREN? by Art Smukler, author & psychiatrist

Posted on March 22, 2014 by artsmuklermd

General Mills recently had 2 Cheerios ads, one on the Super Bowl, that featured a mixed-race little girl, a white mom and a black dad. When bigots and the religious right attacked General Mills because the ad polluted family values, … Continue reading →

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Posted in Childhood Trauma, Psychiatry, Raising Children, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view | Tagged , , | 2 Comments