“I sorry.” When those words are delivered by the high-pitched voice of a child, they melt you. Of course I’ll forgive you, you think. How could I not? Even if there is a huge mess behind her. Bookcases are knocked over. The dog is barking. The cat is perched on top of the chandelier. A…
Our family has officially entered the wasteland of carpooling. Not familiar with that? Allow me to explain. There comes a time in your child’s life when they’re old enough to have lots of activities but young enough that they can’t drive yet. You, as the parent, find yourself trapped in a never ending…
As a child, growing up, I liked rocks. I liked to collect rocks. Not sure why, maybe it was a result of watching too much of The Flintstones as a child. I had this habit of gathering rocks everywhere I went, which included the school playground, along the unpaved roads near our house, at…
What’s more important to you as a parent How happy your kids are? How well your kids achieve? Or how kind they are to others? According to the Making Caring Common Project, 80% of youth in their study feel like their parents are more concerned with their happiness and achievement over whether the show concern for…
“Anger’s the most troublesome emotion in family life.” All you have to do is scroll down your Facebook feed or flip on the news to realize there are a lot of angry people out there. And if I’m being honest, there are times when anger simmers and wins in my own house. So how…
Posted by Carey Nieuwhof | No one would pretend that raising kids is easy. It’s a constant tension between grace: I love you. I see value in you. I will never quit on you. And discipline: You can’t write on the walls in crayon; hit your brother on the head with a mixing bowl; be out with…
If you’re married and raising children together, the best thing you can do for your kids is leave . . . for the night . . . and go on a date with your spouse. We all love our kids and want what’s best for them. We sign them up for activities and sports,…
*The following is excerpted from an online article posted on PsychCentral. Your parents’ particular style of raising you may have had an effect on your perceptions of marriage and family, according to a new Japanese study. The findings show that a supportive upbringing is linked to higher marriage rates and a greater desire…
The other day I sat down and wrote out a list of all the things that “needed” to be done. The list felt immeasurably long and I quickly felt overwhelmed. I couldn’t even figure out where to start because the needs all felt pressing and demanding of my attention. I have a feeling I’m not…
Going back to my parents’ house is like going through a time warp. My old bedroom is exactly how I left it when I graduated high school. This past Christmas, while visiting, I came across an old journal. I picked up at the start of my Senior year, Homecoming was just around the corner,…