Whenever I drink coffee, I get a burst of energy! This happens to me when I praise God or am grateful for all that others do. A thankful heart is more powerful than coffee though!!! I want to grow thankfulness in my kids and I know it starts with me, and a few intentional activities can help. Gratefulness pulls me out of a sluggish slump. It gives me strength to climb out of a pit and it puts a song in my dancing feet....
Bobby is twelve years old. All of a sudden he’s resisting Mom at every turn. Her instructions lead to debates and arguing. Bobby used to be so pleasant and cooperative, but now the tension in their home is growing. Something needs to be done. But......
God has designed a parenting tool that’s often overlooked. It’s the tool of “Time.” But it’s not just any kind of time. It’s a strategic use of hang-out time between a parent and a child. Those times are available. We just need to know how......
“The answer is no.” How does your child respond to that statement? Handling disappointment is part of life and knowing how to respond well to limits is part of maturity. But some children have a difficult time when they don’t get what they want. They pout, throw temper tantrums,......
If you’re doing a lot of good parenting but your child isn’t changing, then it might be time to think differently. That’s not to say you’re doing something wrong, but your child likely needs a different approach. Many children have a hard time changing even when parents try to......
Preschoolers are ready to learn about responsibility. They can take on chores and are often eager to please, but they need training in order to develop the necessary skills. Getting ready in the morning is often a great training time for children. They can learn......
There’s no doubt that there are many benefits that come from our technological world. Information can be accessed at the press of a button. Game systems can keep kids entertained both at home and in the car, and texting can speed up communication. Technology is......
As a preschooler’s brain continues to develop, the imagination takes an important role, forming the basis for creativity. While much of the creativity is helpful, one of the common side effects is a child’s ability to lie to get out of trouble or to obtain......
“We need help!” Mitch and Melinda have three kids, and their oldest son is now thirteen years old. “He’s developed an attitude, argues with us constantly, and creates all kinds of tension in our home.” These are good parents. I can vouch for them. They......
The early signs of a budding leader are often things like determination, resourcefulness, and persistence. Unfortunately, some children demonstrate these qualities in ways that create conflict and resistance. They often argue relentlessly, have their own agenda, are stubborn, and expect others to do what they......
Parents know that talking things out is a good solution to disagreements. They often want to simply build more relationship with their young people by talking more. But many parents say, “My kids don’t talk.” Interestingly enough, many young people say, “My parents don’t listen.”......
I was surprised by his comment and I didn’t know how to respond,” said Rhonda. She was confused. “I told my four-year-old, Jake, to take a Break. He wasn’t responding to my instructions and we had exchanged some heated words. He turned to me and......
If you do it well, sitting down as a family to eat a meal has an amazingly positive effect on family life. Unfortunately, some parents view the primary purpose of eating together as a time to teach kids about healthy food choices. Others see mealtimes......
“I just want to have fun.” That was Carl’s response when his Dad challenged him about his poor performance at school. Trying to further understand his son’s thinking, Dad asked, “What makes a good day for you?” “When I get to play my game with......
Parents often tire of prodding kids to start moving. They ask the question, “How can I get my child to do things on his own without me having to push him along?” The answer is to build internal motivation, but that can be complicated, especially......
