Editor’s note: Last week, Janel wrote about a situation with her daughter and how she and her husband dealt with her fears. Click here to read part one, and read…
intentional parenting
Helping Kids Deal With Their Fears, Part I
I heard her sniffing before I saw the moist strokes left by tears on her cheeks. “I’m just scared,” she sobbed. My daughter was headed to a good friend’s house…
Can We Teach Our Children to Be Grateful?
Not too long ago a young mom wrote me asking if I could give some suggestions on how she could teach her children to be grateful. She wrote: “I love…
Praying With And Talking To Your Kids
In the early days when my girls were in preschool and kindergarten, endless car rides loomed in front of us. Day after day, we repeated the same routine on the…
Courage: the Backbone of Character
If we were to write a classified ad for a parent, one of the parts of the job description would be character building. It is a non-negotiable for any conscientious…
Family Love to Quarantine Helpers
The coronavirus leaves us all considering the unknown and “what if’s” and that kind of thinking can spin a “mom-mind” into places you don’t want it to go. Little eyes…
Is Engagement With Children Extinct?
It is odd that a simple “life scene” that played out before my eyes in a doctor’s office waiting room would leave me near tears. As I entered the waiting…
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…
Our Family Advent Calendar Tradition
When my children were younger, I wanted to find some ways to celebrate Christmas with an emphasis on spending quality time together as a family, particularly during their Christmas break….
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…