Communicating with teenagers can be a huge challenge. Conversations often get tense and emotionally out of control. I talk a lot about good communication on Raising Champion Families, but along with the important habits of listening well, asking good questions, not judging, and not jumping to conclusions, there are some other very key ingredients to…
How Are Your Child’s Life Skills?
How are you doing when it comes to teaching your kids life skills? Last week I talked about things you can do to help your kids learn to adult well. And just in case you didn’t believe me when I said that this was indeed an issue for parents today, take a look at these…
10 Ways That Parents Can Prepare Little Humans to “Adult”
It’s a sad fact that many parents today are sabotaging their child’s future without even knowing what they are doing or understanding the implications of some of their parenting habits. There is no doubt in my mind that the majority of parents want to raise independent adults; I don’t know of any parents personally who…
Here’s How You Can Make 2020 the Start of Great Things for Your Family!
The beginning of 2020 brings excitement and anticipation. What will the year bring for your family? What new things will happen? What goals will be met? What progress will be made? Such questions cause many to begin the year with new year’s resolutions. But what if you tried something different this year? Instead of New…
10 Habits of Good Parenting
Good parenting is really just a series of habits based on a mindset that what you are doing is not an event, a strategy, a solution, it is a process of many habits, many conversations, many ups and down, many mistakes and many lessons learned from them. Good parenting is only good, not because the…
3 Questions Parents Must Ask When a Child Doesn’t Cooperate
Kids who don’t listen, respond, or obey–this behavior is not at all unusual; every parent faces it and each deals with it in their own way. Many parents respond in frustration and anger. Many threaten, yell or bribe. Most will do whatever it takes in the moment to remedy the situation and restore peace in…
Is There Such a Thing as “Too Much” When it Comes to Youth Sports?
Do your kids play youth sports several days a week throughout the year? On weekends too? According to a report in the New York Times, Young athletes are practicing too hard in just one sport, increasing the risk of injuries and burnout. New guidelines urge parents to reduce the intensity. New recommendations issued by the…
Why Kids Lie and How Parents Should Respond
Kids lie. Unfortunately, no one has to teach a child how to lie; it’s one of those things that comes very naturally, and even though it’s human to bend the truth, it’s not a good habit for children to get into. Honesty is a hugely valued character trait in life–in families, in workplaces–and basically you…
How To Raise Thankful Kids
It’s the time of the year for thankfulness. We do thankful things: we share with those who have less, give generously to the Salvation Army Bellringers, and look for ways to teach our children gratefulness so they can be thankful kids. These are all good things. I’m glad that Thanksgiving and the holiday season remind…
Kids and Money: What Does Your Child Need to Learn?
When it comes to kids and money, if you don’t teach your kids how to take care of money, they will learn it from somebody else. Is that something you are willing to risk? Teaching children money principles is going to take time and effort from you. Along with most other parenting challenges, you must…