Good family communication is more than just talking while someone else listens. Good communication is a skill that every single parent should develop because therein lies the key to family harmony and successful parenting. Here are my top 10 Good Communication Tips: Listen More; Talk Less. We have two ears and one mouth for a…
Leaving a Legacy: You have 2 choices
A legacy is an enduring impact that you make on those who outlive you. (Dave Ramsey) What comes to your mind when you think about leaving a legacy through your kids? I recently attended the funeral of a person who died in his old age, leaving his sons a thriving business that would keep them…
20 Questions to Ask Your Kids at Family Dinner
No matter how many times a week you have family dinner, make it a point to make the most of those moments. One of the ways to do that is to start by banning cell phones, and then to spark good conversation with some questions that will hopefully loosen everyone up and get them talking….
2 Keys to Strong Parenting in 2021
Is strong parenting a goal for you? The beginning of a new year is a great time to evaluate life–what is working for us? What is not working? What is working for you in your parenting? Where do you see the need for improvement? What areas do you want to work on? I encourage you…
The Real Reason That Your Children Need Boundaries
Although parents know that their children need boundaries, many of them may be setting limits for the wrong reason. Boundaries are not just there so that parents can have their space or their peace. Boundaries are not just needed so that chores and homework get done. Boundaries are not in place for the sole purpose…
3 Gifts Your Child Will Never OutGrow
I love giving gifts to my kids, and have to hold myself back at times from going overboard. I love to see the smile, the joy on their faces, even as adults when they open something that I know they want, or something that totally surprises them. I’ve got a couple of surprises up my…
Parenting Through the UNKNOWN
In life, there is really no end to the unknowns. We cannot see into the future, we cannot predict how our kids will turn out and we cannot foresee the problems that lay in wait for us. As children grow up, it seems that every day parents are encountering something new to figure out. Then…
Why Good Parenting is Not Always the Best
Good parenting is praised, admired, emulated, and sought after. But good parenting is not always the best. When we are good at parenting, we tend to settle into status quo, and in doing so, we miss out on what is best. Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase, “Good is the enemy of great.” Here’s the full…
Why Are Parents Afraid?
The list of things for parents to be afraid of is very, very long. And the older our kids get, the longer the list gets. Research shows that parents fear: That they are not good enough or doing a good job. That their kids are not going to make it to or through college or…
How to do Thanksgiving Walks with Your Kids
What’s a Thanksgiving Walk and how can it help your relationship with your kids? To answer that question, I’d like to introduce you to a friend of mine who does Thanksgiving walks almost every school morning with his three boys. Meet Phil Cooper, and his boys Tyson, 13, Paxton, 11, and Gavin,9. Since July 2019,…