Tag: Family Dynamics

Aging Parents: How to Start the Conversation – Part 1 (Ep. 74)

Aging Parents: How to Start the Conversation – Part 1 (Ep. 74)

Starting the conversation about a parent’s care isn’t easy, but it might be the most important discussion you ever have.

In this deeply personal episode, Nicole Romito is joined by her Private Vista partners Jeff Toner and Steve Merdinger for part one of a two-part series on navigating the emotional and practical challenges of aging parents who can no longer live independently.

Together, they reflect on their own family journeys and what they’ve learned from decades of guiding clients through this pivotal life moment.

What to expect:

  • Real stories of loss, transition, and tough family decisions
  • When and how to start the conversation before a crisis strikes
  • How power of attorney can (and should) come into play
  • Navigating sibling dynamics and keeping your parents’ voice central
  • And more!

Previous Episodes of Interest:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Steve Merdinger:

Connect with Jeff Toner:

About Jeff Toner: 

Over the 30 years of doing this work, Jeff has lived many lives through my clients. He has been with them in moments of great joy and cried with them during their times of sadness. He has taught and educated them, but more importantly, he has been taught and learned from them as well.

As a father of three and business owner, Jeff enjoys an enriched life. He channels his time, talents, and energy between family and friends, clients and colleagues, as well as causes that provide a path for those without the opportunities he’s had. Now that Jeff’s children are becoming young adults, he is most excited to explore new directions for the next stages of his life.

About Steve Merdinger:

Steve has been a financial planner since the mid-80s, helping people consider priorities for themselves and their families, and then working closely with them to turn their hopes and dreams into reality. Before that, he worked in his family’s business, which gave him a unique understanding of the financial dynamics of family-owned businesses, including the issues of succession planning.

As I look to my future, Steve hopes to become more involved with mentoring students — perhaps becoming a trainer with the Positive Coaching Alliance organization. He would like to carve out more time for meditating and maintaining his fitness and flexibility through Bikram yoga. And, of course, spending more quality time with his wife and two children.

What You Need to Know About Divorce with Dr. Lydia Richardson (Part 2)

What You Need to Know About Divorce with Dr. Lydia Richardson (Part 2)

What role do emotions play in navigating divorce, especially when children are involved?

Nicole Romito from Private Vista is back with Dr. Lydia Richardson for part two of their series on dealing with divorce. While part one focused on self-care for adults, this installment dives into supporting children through the emotional ups and downs of their parents’ separation. 

Dr. Richardson, a seasoned clinical psychologist specializing in family dynamics, brings her insights on minimizing the negative impacts of divorce on children. From establishing consistent routines to managing difficult conversations, this episode is packed with practical tips and candid discussions.

Key conversations include:

  • The impact of divorce on children of various ages [05:35]
  • Essential behaviors to avoid during this difficult time [06:22]
  • The importance of parental self-awareness and control [15:19]
  • Strategies for creating a stable environment during transitions [20:26]
  • Navigating co-parenting challenges while keeping kids’ best interests at heart [26:16]
  • And more!

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Dr. Lydia Richardson:

About Our Guest: 

Lydia Richardson is a licensed clinical psychologist, Divorce Mediator, Collaborative Law Coach, and Child Specialist who has provided services to adults, couples, and families in a variety of settings since 2004. She is fluent in Spanish and Danish; her multicultural background enables her to bring cultural sensitivity and competence to all aspects of her work, and she is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in all aspects of life. Her business experience in banking and finance gives her a unique perspective and ability to problem-solve effectively and work efficiently to help clients achieve their goals. She earned her B.A. from New York University (Economics/Politics) and worked in business and finance for several years before returning to school to study psychology. She earned her M.A. in industrial/organizational psychology and her doctorate in clinical psychology (both from Roosevelt University). She has worked extensively with the families of children with developmental disorders, in foster care, and with adolescents in juvenile detention. She is also trained in neuropsychological assessment of adults and children and has consulted to companies seeking executive coaching and team-building.

She is a Past President of the Collaborative Divorce Illinois (CDI) Board of Directors and continues to serve on the Board as the Vice President of Mental Health. She is passionate about and hopes to promote alternative dispute resolution and help facilitate less conflict in divorce so as to promote happier families and more productive co-parenting. She believes that families can transcend the difficulty of divorce and evolve into happy and productive individuals and co-parents. She is a member of other professional organizations, including the International Association of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), and the American Psychological Association (APA). She also enjoys teaching graduate psychology courses at Roosevelt University in Chicago and providing consultation to other mental health professionals.

A native New Yorker, she has lived in Chicago for over 20 years and calls it home. She is the proud mother of three children who are all in graduate school now, forging their own futures as fellow peacemakers. In her spare time, she is outdoors as much as possible, biking, hiking, skiing, and walking the Chicago lakefront.

How to Prepare for the Death of a Loved One With Carrie Shoener (Ep. 46)

How to Prepare for the Death of a Loved One With Carrie Shoener (Ep. 46)

Reflecting on the loss of a loved one is an agonizing journey nobody willingly embarks on.

Yet, those who take proactive steps to brace themselves for such an inevitable occurrence are often spared the crippling weight of financial burden and the relentless onslaught of emotional upheaval in the aftermath.

Join Nicole Romito as she welcomes her esteemed colleague, Carrie Shoener, to discuss the critical but often overlooked topic of preparing for the death of a loved one. Despite the difficulty, it is essential to have these conversations to ensure that everything is in order and wishes are understood. 

Learn key steps and best practices as Nicole and Carrie discuss:

  • How to approach the end-of-life conversation with your loved ones
  • Strategies for ensuring family members have access to essential documents and passwords
  • The importance of having updated financial and estate planning documents 
  • Tips for sharing sensitive topics with family members to avoid future conflicts
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Carrie Shoener:

About Our Guest: 

Carrie Shoener is an advisor at Private Vista LLC. Her previous work as a high school teacher emphasized how important it is to build strong relationships as the cornerstone of one’s career. That same principle guides her work as an advisor, where she is able to continue helping people solve problems and make empowered decisions about their futures. Carrie sees her role as a trusted and empathetic source of financial education, and she enjoys working with clients to build up their knowledge and understanding of their options.