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  Parent’s aren’t perfect but sometimes we sure act like we are. I remember a time when Dad called my brother, sister and me into our living room. By his tone, we knew he was angry and we were in big trouble. I’m sure I avoided eye contact as he asked which one of us [...]

  Children who understand what their parents expect are more likely to meet those expectations. I Heard it said once, if you don’t know what the target is you’ll miss it every time. Parent who fail to help their children find the target leave their children wondering what it takes to please or satisfy their [...]

  Every parent is concerned with what impression their kids are making when they are invited to a friends house to play. Children who leave a good impression are more likely to be invited back. Parents can help their kids leave a good impression by teaching them simple ways to be considerate and show respect. [...]

  Children flourish when parents set reasonable boundaries and communicate clear expectations. When children understand how far they are allowed to go, they have greater freedom and learn to make better choices. Parents, it is our responsibility to help our children learn how to manage their passions. Children who grow up letting passion control them [...]

  If your  family likes to create things together like our family, you might enjoy making these. Yesterday Karen came to me and asked if we would get some acorns from our yard and figure out how they could hold some place cards for our Thanksgiving dinner table. We are having 14 for dinner so [...]

  We are wired to think our ideas are great ideas. Children are no different. They naturally gravitate toward thinking they know best even when they have no idea what really is best. Parents have the benefit of more life experience that usually helps to identify impending disappointment more clearly. Call them “older and wiser” [...]

Article first published as Four Questions Your Kids Should Ask on Technorati.   Have you ever been asked a life-changing question? The right question can lead to meaningful change. From the first moment we hold our newborns to when they graduate college, children are continually changing. Whether a child changes from helpless to helpful largely depends on [...]

  Help them help others find success The world of a child is often very small. It is not uncommon for kids to think that life revolves around their wants and needs. A small world, where a child is the center of attention, limits success. Life takes on a more significant meaning when kids understand [...]

  Our family has changed a lot since we moved to Texas four years ago. One of the most significant changes came when our daughter entered high school. Our little Maddie is not so little anymore. The girl who used to crawl into my lap now fills it up. How quickly the time flies. With [...]

  We climbed across slippery boulders as we worked our way through falling mist. Every step demanded careful attention, but the climb was worth it. It’s hard to miss the power of Yosemite’s Bridalveil Falls when standing beneath it. My wife and I could have looked on for hours. Roaring water drowned out our words as we stood there [...]

Everyday we are faced with setting priorities. We will either manage and choose our priorities or they will control us. When priorities control us, we live life by the moment reacting to whatever is going wrong in that moment. On the flip side, managing our priorities intentionally place energy into what is most important instead [...]

It’s puzzling how a marriage can seem to suddenly slip into a funk. Routine pressures of work, kid’s activities, and keeping up on the household chores lead to a blinding fast pace leaving deeper conversations behind in the dust. The endless days of non-stop activities often lead to growing perceptions that impact a marriage negatively. [...]