10 Ways to Help your Child Finish Strong As I bring this blog series, The Importance of Building Character to a close, I think it’s only appropriate that we end on…
Parenting
4 Gifts That Will Put a Smile On Your Child’s Face
Hurrying into the store, the mom hushed her young child. “Stop whining!” Her son didn’t seem to hear her. “I wanna go home.” Dad jumped in. “Stop it, now!” With…
What the Manger Taught Me About Motherhood
Every day, day after day, for over 20 years, I have been immersed in the task of mothering. No one told me before I was handed that swaddled bundle how…
Keeping Christmas Fresh
As I walked through the airport, I was surprised to see my gate decorated with several flags. There were glass cases along the walls filled with all sorts of medals…
Generosity — The Cure for the Gimmes
The Importance of Building Character Part IV – Generosity: The cure for the “gimmes” There’s a super villain that shows up this time of year. I call him the Green-Eyed…
Margins Bless and Reduce Family Stress
Hurrying through the house, we searched under chairs and beds for the lost shoe. “You need to be more responsible and keep up with things,” I reminded my child. On…
Celebrating Thanksgiving
It’s my favorite time of year again. The leaves have changed and are at their peak. There is a sugar maple tree on the south side of our house that is glorious…
Ten Tips for Raising Kids Who Don’t Rebel
While there is no fail-proof recipe for raising kids who don’t rebel, here are 10 tips for parenting in a manner that encourages mutual respect, emotional attunement, and healthy boundaries….
Gratitude 101
Five boys. Five loud, active boys with their own unique personalities and preferences. Personal tastes, too. So at dinner a week or two ago, several of them expressed those preferences…
Mamas, Help Your Boys Grow Into Men
This past summer I spent a few days with my 15-year-old son, my sister, and her kids at our family cabin at the lake. While my sister and I were…