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NJ Real Housewives Tips for You

Real Housewives New Jersey Proud Mother

Real Housewives New Jersey Jackie Goldschneider Enjoys her Family

Celebrity Real Housewives of New Jersey star, Jackie Goldschneider revels in the holiday excitement. Family, food, festivities, and fun. They are the four factors of good living.

In a recent interview, Jackie, a proud mother, wife and parent exclaimed, “It’s a very big year for my children. Alexis and Hudson will be graduating fifth grade and going to middle school which is just unbelievable to me because I feel like they’re still babies.”

How do you feel about 2021? In that year, we didn’t have much for which to look forward. Many states were still in lockdown modes, exercising at the local gym, dining at eat-in restaurants, shopping at nearby mom and pop retail stores, and bar hopping at local pubs were activities often curtailed. But, think about it. Family is where it’s at. If 2021 didn’t show us this, I am not sure what could have.

Jackie Goldschneider, star cast member of the Housewives of New Jersey teaches us the importance of putting family first.

Real Housewives Tips for You

The Developmental Psychology Journal, Frontiers in Psychology conducted a survey of almost 250 families. The purpose of the study was to identify the factors related to healthy functioning of families during the COVID-19 epidemic. Even though the participants in the study were not high status or wealthy like the stars of the Housewives of New Jersey, much useful information can be gleamed. Here are the highlights:

  • Even though parents reported more economic stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic than before the global crisis, moms and dads observed that their kids Mothers and fathers who reported more economic stressors since the pandemic also observed that their children behaved more positively and were more helpful.
  • As expected, the stress brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic caused moms and dads to experience heightened mental health difficulties than before the global health pandemic.
  • Parents were less engaged with their children. This led to the kid’s expressing an increase in maladaptive behaviors than prior to the Coronavirus.

Jackie Goldschneider, star of the Real Housewives of New Jersey provides a model for which to emulate. There appears to be evidenced-based research to support her stance.

  • Parents who maintained a bright outlook, positive mental attitude and were optimistic in spite of the chaos brought about by COVID- 19 reported feeling less depressed and stressed.
  • Mothers and fathers who routinely communicated hope for the future and high expectations of their children impacted the attitudes of their kids. It was observed that the kids of positive parents mirrored positivity by exhibiting more prosocial behaviors.

Were their any gender differences when examining the impact of COVID-19 on parenting styles? The research says, “yes.”

  • Moms and dads who adopted a co-parenting style were found to be more engaged with their children leading to more helpful behaviors of their children.
  • Elevated levels of parent positivity, cheerfulness, and enthusiasm during the pandemic served as protective factors for the mothers; meaning the moms of children experienced less mental health difficulties related to the economic stress that the pandemic induced.
  • High levels of co-parenting support during the pandemic were protective for the fathers; meaning the dads of kids experienced less mental health difficulties related to the economic stress that the pandemic induced.

So, for anyone out there in the physical world who believes or supports the notion that the celebrity lives of stars of the Real Housewives of New Jersey provide no societal value. You are wrong. Each star can serve as models for other wives, moms and daughters to aspire. As with anything, we much cull through the good and the bad to find the true gem.

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NJ Real Housewives Tips for You

Real Housewives of New Jersey Teresa blended family

Teresa Giudice, star Real Housewives of New Jersey and Joe Giudice, ex-husband

In Season 12 of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice told her co-stars that she and her family were going to move in with her boyfriend Luis Ruelas and his family.  Teresa has four children with her former husband Joe Giudice. They are all girls: Gia, Gabriella, Audriana and Milania.  At one time or another, each of her four daughters have appeared on the Real Housewives of New Jersey tv show. Teresa was married to JoeGiudice  from 1999 to 2019. Joe has been out of the family picture as he is still being deported to Italy and has been unable to re-enter the U.S. to see his family.

As the family drama related to deportation was occurring, Teresa met Luis Ruelas. Luis has two children, David and Louie Jr with his former wife, Marisa DiMartino. Teresa Giudice just announced recently that she and Luis were going to have a blended family.  

Real Housewives of New Jersey Teresa Guidice Blended Family

The Giudice and Ruelas families are not unique in this regard. The U.S. Census reports that about 16% of all children in the US live in a “blended family” situation. The term blended family implies that the family members living under one household includes a  stepparent, stepsibling or half-sibling. This figure is estimated to be higher than the 8% of children who live with a step parent and slightly higher than 12% who live with stepsiblings (step brothers and step sisters) or half siblings. Please see Pew Research Series, The American Family Today, December 17, 2015 for additional information.

Real Housewives of New Jersey Potential Stressors of Blended Family

Even though it is rather common place to be a member of a blended family or to raise your child in a blended family situation, Good Therapy identifies the following stressors.

  1. The parenting styles differ from one parent to the other,
  2. The variations of step family/biological family routines,
  3. The conflicts revolving around visitation rules,
  4. The ongoing disagreements between the separated parents and/or stepparents,
  5. The potential conflict and uncertainty surrounding new stepsiblings,
  6. The time needed for each stepsibling to adapt to the conditions of the blended family varies from child to child,
  7. The inability to let go, or to continue to hang on to expectation of maintaining strong bonds with the separated family member(s),
  8. The struggle to manage grief, feelings of abandonment, and other strong emotions during periods of separation,
  9. The demand for new parents and/or step parents to transition into a new parenting role rather quickly, and
  10. The potential for conflict related to rivalry may arise when close bonds with the separated family member is maintained.

Real Housewives Tips for You

In spite of the challenges posed by blended family relationships, these families can work out. They prove to be resilient and can last a long time, particularly with a few of these recommendations from the American Psychological Association in mind.

  1. Resolve financial and visitation arrangements prior to initiating a new living situation.
  2. Clear your heart and mind of all grievances against the former partner.
  3. Determine, prior to the initiation of a new living arrangement, the role each partner will play in child rearing.
  4. Consider developing a list of household rules: those that are negotiable and rules that are non-negotiable.
  5. Offer verbal recognition, praise, and affection as an effective and early method for establishing new relationships with stepchildren.
  6. Maintain special activities and participate in special events as the separated partner so that the child will lessen his/her feelings of grief and abandonment.
  7. Refrain from speaking ill of the separated partner in front of the children.

Considering the stressors and the recommendations to mitigate and prevent them, James Bray, PhD, a researcher and clinician at the Department of Family Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine estimates that, “under the best conditions, it may take two to four years for a new stepfamily to adjust to living together.”

Resources

American Psychological Association, Making Stepfamilies Work, August 23, 2019.
Good Therapy, Blended Family Issues, April 8, 2020.
Pew Research Series, The American Family Today, December 17, 2015.

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Atlanta Real Housewives Tips for You

RHOA Real Housewives Professional Envy

Kandi Burruss and NeNe Leakes stars of reality tv show Real Housewives of Atlanta

Kandi Burruss and NeNe Leakes, castmates and celebrity stars of Real Housewives of Atlanta Bravo reality tv series seem to be experiencing bouts of professional envy. It is hard to find out who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist? The lack of a clear-cut instigator or pacifist mirrors life.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta Professional Envy

The two stars of the Real Housewives of Atlanta are just like every day people. We all must maintain our professional competitiveness in a cut-throat world to keep our quality of life in tact. Kandi Burruss has ruminated that because she has a new spin off, her cast mates (NeNe Leakes) of Real Housewives of Atlanta and NeNe Leakes’ fans are envious of her professional success. She was reported as asking those who have cast shade on her success, “What did I do to you?”

Kandi fretted that other celebrity housewives and stars of the Real Housewives Bravo reality tv series went on to individual stardom like Kim Zolciak and Porsha Williams. Why not she? Kandi Burruss further explained that she pitched several spin off television show ideas to the producers. Why didn’t her naysayers do the same?

Real Housewives Tips for You

Researchers at the Harvard Business Review published an article sharing that professional envy and jealousy is not new. In fact, these feelings are universally felt when a colleague attains something for which you had wished. While these negative emotions are universal; we are consumed with guilt and try to suppress them once they rise to the surface. Unfortunately, as we attempt to bury emotions of envy and jealousy, they can resurface with greater strength causing more harm than had we been true to ourselves and owned up to our negative feelings.

Real Housewives Tips for You

A few real housewives tips, suggestions and recommendations for regular housewives as well as celebrity stars of the Real Housewives Bravo television series follow.

  • Recognize your negative thoughts and behaviors;
  • Examine exactly what act or behavior triggers your envy (self confidence, aggression, thoughtfulness, passion);
  • Seek to develop those attributes and characteristics within your self;
  • Refocus your energies on the antidote of jealousy ( admiration) and envy (goodwill);
  • Become more open to others;
  • Establish a closer relationship with your foe and seek to emulate her style or technique in the areas for which you have envied;
  • Accept and adapt to change more readily than in the past;
  • Learn from your shortcomings and or seek to develop your weakness;
  • Take the opportunity to discover the job, projects and/or activities that bring you fulfillment;
  • Affirm your positive qualities daily;
  • Switch jobs, careers, or industries for which you are better suited, if necessary.

Eventually NeNe Leakes and Kandi Burruss will resolve their differences keeping their relative celebrity star status in tact. Focus on yourself. Be your own best advocate.

And remember, as Kandi Burruss has said of her Real Housewives of Atlanta peers and colleagues, “a lot of them don’t pitch shows. A lot of them think, ‘I’m so great that Bravo should just throw a show in my lap.’ That is not what I do,” she said. “Me and my husband, we come up with these ideas, and we pitch them. Sometimes, the network is for it; sometimes they aren’t. Everything we do does not get picked up.”

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NJ Real Housewives Tips for You

RHONJ Real Housewives bills and bankruptcy

Teresa Giudice, star of the Real Housewives of New Jersey reality tv series knows a little about overdue bills and bankruptcy. Court fillings in 2020 showed that Teresa Giudice and Joe Giudice, her former husband filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Newark, N.J. Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings require that the filers liquidate their assets to pay creditors for outstanding bills. Although a successful Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows the filers to make a fresh new start in life, Teresa Giudice seems to be entangled in yet another man with weak financial underpinnings.

One of the headlining stars of the Real Housewives Bravo franchise, Teresa Giudice’s fiancé, Luis Ruelas is being sued for failure to pay $113,000 in debts to a vendor that provided services to his company. Presently, Luis Relas, is filing for $1M bankruptcy.

Luis proposed to Teresa in October 2021. And she accepted his proposal of marriage. But Teresa Giudice, in spite of the promises of a fresh new start that the previous bankruptcy filing afforded her, and her divorce. Seems like the clutches of poor financial management hasn’t loosened its iron grip.

Real Housewives Tips for You

We’ve got real housewives tips for you. Real Housewives of New Jersey celebrities notwithstanding, you don’t have to be a reality superstar housewife to succumb to the financial pressures related to economic downturns, shutdowns, lockouts and inflation. We have all been filling the pinch.

A bankrupt financial situation does not define you. Take the example of Teresa Giudice. She just keeps on going. Not that she is throwing her cares to the wind. Rather, she keeps living her life, thriving with adventure and bustling with passion.

Real Housewives Tips for You

Perhaps Teresa Giudice, star of the Real Housewives of New Jersey received some advice from others who have experienced economic hard times. The following real housewives tips can help you weather the torrents of any financial storm.

  1. Refrain from taking it personal. Sh!t happens. Life happens.
  2. Focus on things within your control (your attitude, health, emotional wellbeing, etc).
  3. Analyze your buying patterns with increasing scrutiny.
  4. Refrain from using consumer spending as an emotional crutch.
  5. Prioritize relationships that bring you happiness and joy.
  6. Refrain from emotional and physical withdrawal from life. Roll with the punches. When the going gets rough, the tough gets tougher.
  7. Steer clear of negative people who think negatively, complain constantly and are an energy drain.
  8. Consider expanding your social network.
  9. Exercise regularly, eat healthier foods, and lead a healthier lifestyle.
  10. Adopt mindful techniques to detox your mind from dysfunctional habits (emotional spending, emotional eating), for instance.
  11. Refrain from overly generalizing your temporary situational setback to permanent failure.

Look at the experience of Teresa Giuidce, star of the Real Housewives of New Jersey. Her first bankruptcy did not dim her flame. “I’m from Patterson”, she has said. She has taken all in stride and keeps on dishing and kicking. Maybe we should do the same.

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Atlanta Real Housewives Tips for You

Real Housewives Atlanta share husband

The Real Housewives of Atlanta franchise has taught housewives everywhere, “Never share or attempt to share a husband of a bestie. Not even an ex-husband. Porsha Williams, one of the most popular stars of the Real Housewives Bravo franchise feuded with Kenya Moore, alleging that Kenya slept with her ex-husband Kordell Stewart.

No offense to Kordell, but most ladies know that men will be men, I mean true dogs when it comes to lust and love. And most women, celebrity real housewives included know that once you try to date the husband, ex, or boyfriend of a friend; you are labeled a bad girl forever! Kenya Moore has been perceived by many who follow the Real Housewives of Atlanta reality tv series as an evil villain.

Real Housewives Tips for You

Besties, bestfriends, frenemies the world over know that boyfriends, current husbands, ex-husbands and even one night stands and flings of girls within your inner circle are generally offlimits.

Even relationship experts who dish out advice to college students say the matter can be very tricky. It all depends upon who left whom in the relationship. Was it your bestie who broke up with her partner (leaving the door open for you to pursue a relationship). Or, was it her boyfriend who ditched her leaving your bestie’s heart broken? Maybe your friend, frenemy still yearns for a reconciliation.

Real Housewives Tips for You

Do you want to escape the fate of Kenya Moore, cast member of the Real Housewives of Atlanta? Do you want to dodge and avoid the bad girl villain role? Here are some real housewives tips for you. Relationship counselors would suggest that there are several factors to consider when determining whether your friend’s ex is on or off limits.

  • How long ago did the break-up happen? This may be commonsensical, but you can’t imagine how many lovelorn girls still carry a torch for the boyfriend that got away. If it has only been a week or two, bide your time and try to wait it out. If it has been a year or two, you could tread, but still tread lightly.
  • How long did the relationship last? If they were together for just a few weeks or months, then there may not have been enough time to establish a long-lasting bond. However, if they were childhood friends, a campus couple, and adult lovers, no matter how much you like this guy; your friend’s bond with him consists of a storehouse of memories that may be hard to break and/or withstand.
  • If it was your friend who did the ‘breaking up’, then the door is wide open. Go ahead run through it, as it is considered more socially acceptable you to date your bestie’s old flame. They do suggest, however, that you should (in all fairness) casually mention her ex and gently ask if she thinks it is a good idea.
  • If your friend is already in a new relationship, go ahead girl. Take a shot at her old man. No one could be the wiser.
  • If it was your friend who got dumped instead of being the dumper, then a huge can of worms is introduced. Your bestie may experience tendencies bordering on paranoia. She may falsely accuse you of being the source of their break-up. You may lose your friend altogether, as she might begin to internalize her rejection with your success. Finally, at every turn, she might attempt to surreptitiously undermine your relationship with your ex. So in the end you may lose a bestie and a boyfriend. Think twice. Who needs the trouble?

Real Housewives Tips for You

Looking back to Porsha Williams and Kenya Moore, cast mates of the Real Housewives of Atlanta Bravo reality tv series. Their relationship did not survive the sharing of an ex-husband. Fans of the Real Housewives of Atlanta noticed that the only time the two got along was when they birthed their daughters. In the end, their conflict from the feuding about Porsha’s husband may last longer than any one girl’s relationship with Kordell Stewart.