The Center for Men's Excellence

Most people just fall in love and hope for the best here’s how to do much better than just hope

Don’t forget to sign up for the Center for Men’s Excellence unique parenting class here in San Diego that is just for Dads! This class takes place on January 16th at 9 AM. For more information and/or to register: https://buff.ly/3qZZPXn

Even though you probably know the story of How the Grinch stole Christmas, we never discuss WHY he decided to steal Christmas! As a bunch of shrinks whose life work involves processing and analyzing, we figured we’d take some time during this year’s holidaze to dig into the Grinch’s issues with an eye toward his masculinity. Check out our blog and let us know your thoughts! https://buff.ly/3p0e7VQ

New year, new plans, new memories to be made. Happy New Year Everyone!

Creating rituals around the holidays can bring you closer to loved ones. Certified Therapist Kari Rusnak at The Gottman Institute shares how you can adapt some of your family's favorite holiday traditions and create some new ones.

Merry Christmas! The Center for Men’s Excellence wishes you all Happy Holidays and all the best to you in the year to come!

"When we take responsibility for words or actions that have caused distress, we are opening the door to changes we need to make in order to be our best selves. ...Defensiveness keeps the door slammed shut. Defensiveness is another way of saying, 'I’m perfect as I am, therefore I don’t need to grow or change in any way.' This attitude leads to personal stagnation. It also leads to loneliness, as most others don’t consider themselves to be perfect, and therefore, can’t relate to you or connect with you. When we take responsibility, there is an audible sigh from those around us, as if they are saying, Oh good, it’s okay that we are not perfect too [now] we can all relax together in our own human imperfection! Drs. John and Julie Gottman dive into the Antidote for Defensiveness in the new Gottman Relationship Coach: How to Make Your Relationship Work. Shop now: https://bit.ly/2IT2YHi

The holiday is upon us, so there’s no more putting it off: It’s time to truly get in the festive holiday mood that’s mandated every year yes, even this year. Even though we are stuck at home, there’s nothing more that we love than watching Christmas movies during this time of the year!

How can you support your partner when you need support as well? During these unprecedented times, you may find yourself struggling to "hold space" for others le...t alone take care of yourself. Maybe your partner’s needs feel overwhelming as you're working to process your own feelings. Or you may question if you're deserving of support from a hurting partner, or sacrificing your needs in the process. Your hurt could even be because of a negative experience with your partner and a lack of repair. There are no easy answers on how to support your partner when you're hurting, but there are ways to help. Healing starts with focusing on that part of you that cares for the other and giving them the chance to care for you. When we know that our partner cares about us and what we are going through, it becomes easier to show that caring in return. Don Cole, Clinical Director at The Gottman Institute shares how to be there for each other even if you’re both in pain: https://bit.ly/33HUAS8

Check out Mark Williams Fmh report on fathers’ #mentalhealth in the perinatal period.

Join Dr. Marquez and Dr. Singley in their conference symposium hosted by The San Diego Psychological Association tomorrow! They will be discussing an intersectional, strengths-based lens on research and practice with new Latino Fathers. For more information: https://buff.ly/3dOP3wF

Check out our Basic Training for New Dads! For more information and to register: https://buff.ly/3qZZPXn

October is #breastcancerawarenessmonth! #DYK? Men can get breast cancer, too over 2,000 men are diagnosed each year. Learn more about male breast cancer:

With California’s coronavirus shutdown, Del Mar Fairgrounds has found a way for families to get out and experience a magical holiday event amidst this stressful time. Get in the car and get your cell phones ready. Buckle up & enjoy the dazzling lights from the safety of your own vehicle while respecting social distance rules. This magical drive-thru journey showcases amazing holiday-themed light displays that are intricately and painstakingly assembled by Santa's team of Elves celebrating the most magical time of the year.

"Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us." Check out the article below for information on how to practice #Mindfulness. Join us in practicing #Mindfulness this #MindfulMonday. #MondayVibes #MondayMotivation

Join Dr. Daniel Singley and Dr. Joanthan Marquez on November 6th in a virtual workshop hosted by Postpartum Health Alliance They will be addressing father, intersectionality, parenting during a pandemic, and paternal perinatal health. To register and for more information:

October is #DepressionAwarenessMonth! Check out what Camille Conner has to say about depression and how it can affect you.

Check out these 20 funny dads who have truly mastered the ‘dad joke.’

"Accepting my circumstances as they were, rather than what I’d prefer them to be, has allowed me to apply more effective solutions to our situation, as they’re based in reality."

Shout-out to Jen Varela and Julie López - my fierce, amazing friends and partners in leading the Climb out of the Darkness San Diego. The COTD is an annual fund- and awareness-raising event around the world aimed at rasing awareness and fighting the stigma that dads, moms, and parents of all genders often face when they develop perinatal mental health issues like depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and relationship strain. I'm grateful to have these two inspiring warrior mo...ms along with the rest of the Board of the California Chapter of Postpartum Support International to keep the California Climb Out of the Darkness going virtually during a time of so many barriers and difficulties for the Climb and new parents alike. To those of us who are survivors, respect and appreciation for your journey - and to those of your in it and struggling right now: You're not alone, it's not your fault, this ISN'T weakness, and by getting the right kind of help, you'll get better. See more

On October 10th, PSI-CA is hosting the first California-wide virtual Climb Out of the Darkness! Climbers can post photos or videos of themselves talking or com...menting about their PMADs experiences, their experiences with the Climb in the past, their survivor story, inspiration from their battle with PMADs, or anything else that might be meaningful to them. If you are not ready to actively participate with a post of your own, feel free to just get support by looking at others' posts. At the end of the day, Climb leaders and the PSI California Board will hold a Facebook live event to recap the day. Anyone can join this group--those struggling now, survivors, family members, friends, or community members who support the Climb. We look forward to climbing out with you! Join the PSI-CA virtual Climb Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1083036415406692. Donations link: https://climbout2020.causevox.com/team/team-california-