*The following is excerpted from an online article posted on HealthDay. “Harsh” parenting that includes frequent yelling, hitting and threats may bring out the worst in teens’ behavior instead of getting them to toe the line, a new study suggests. Tracking nearly 1,500 students over nine years, researchers found that those who…
Failing my children with special needs in some important, life-altering way used to be one of the looming fears over my life. Myriad problems not easily solved triggered anxiety and misplaced guilt. The quest to be a good parent put me (and maybe puts you) on edge because the stakes are high, and it’s hard…
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,…
Splink 1: Grace…a gift To help your kids understand the concept of grace, give each child a gift card to spend. Take them to the store (or a restaurant if that’s where it’s from) to let them use it. Talk about it: What did you do to earn the gift card? (Nothing; it…
Parents and youth workers… why not make your Super Bowl viewing experience productive for you and your kids? I want to challenge you to see it as an opportunity to teach how to apply their faith to the glut of marketing messages they face each and every day, by helping them think critically and Christianly…
Dr. Gary Chapman, speaker and best-selling author of The Five Love Languages, reveals the secret to loving children effectively. He talks through the 5 unique ways kids receive love and helps parents discover and speak in the love language their child will understand. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/305004998″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] How to listen: iTunes |…
I never thought I would be one of THOSE parents. The ones who hand their kids tech to keep them quiet. I mean, do some parenting, people! Raise your children! Teach them to behave appropriately. Put in the work to engage them, play with them, pay attention to them. Oh, silly me. Silly,…