Parenting
10 Tips to a Better Night’s Sleep…for MOM
“I am SO tired!” This is one of the main personal complaints of moms. Lack of rest makes us crabby, impatient, and often sick. Why are we so incredibly worn out? The most common reason is moms today are over scheduled, over booked, and overwhelmed. Take a careful and honest inventory of the commitments on…
Read MoreA Family’s First Pet
Children and pets are a natural combination. Through the years, our golden retrievers tagged after the boys across the yard, through the woods, and even off the end of the dock into the lake for a swim. Having access to a best buddy, especially one who never talks back, is a gift for a kid.…
Read MoreLOVE-HATE Relationships with Social Media
How do you feel after checking in on your social media pages: happy, sad, excited, intimidated? The emotions vary. But sometimes the newsfeed can actually be down-right depressing. Don’t other parents have vacations turn into disasters? My house will never look like a magazine spread. How can so many of my friends travel to so…
Read MoreChores: Little Jobs for Little People
When parents ask if their little kids should do chores, my immediate answer is an emphatic, “YES!” Helping one another is part of family life. Jobs around the house qualify for gifts of service. The benefits of helping around the house are many. Learning to care for oneself and others, living in an organized and…
Read MoreBut First, a Family Meeting
Life is BUSY. Schedules are chaotic. Connecting is difficult. Family meetings are worth the intentional planning and meeting time. Why? When everyone is gathered, plans are made and problems get solved. Here are 11 tips for successful family meetings. 11 Tips for a Fabulous Family Meeting Family business is important. All members of the family are…
Read MoreA Family’s First Mission Statement
Is your family more important than a Fortune 500 company? Most parents in classes I’ve led eagerly nod their heads and respond emphatically, “Yes, of course!” Large corporations and organization have mission statements to use as a guide for business practices and to set the tone of the company’s culture. Yet most families don’t have…
Read MoreBecoming the Babysitter’s Favorite Family
You’ve found a GREAT babysitter. You and your spouse finally have a relaxing night out, just for two. How do you keep the teen happy that makes your kids happy allowing for couple time? The Golden Rule is the key, “Do unto others as you would have done to you” (Matthew 7:12). Be respectful. Don’t…
Read More15 Helpful Questions for Spring Conferences
Spring conferences are incredibly valuable to you as a parent to discuss your child’s social, emotional, physical, and academic growth. You and the classroom teacher, as well as other specialists in your child’s school, have been collaborating as a team since school began in the fall. Compare notes and make a plan for summer learning…
Read More8 Tips for the Family Road Trip
The benefits of road trips with the family are many. Learning opportunities in academic skills such calculating mileage, determining expenses, using money, and reading road signs and travel books are just a few. Experiencing new cultures and new foods can be fun. Lessons in geography and history are fabulous. When driving from Point A to…
Read MoreTravel Tips for Family Adventures
Does the thought of traveling with children fill you with joyful anticipation or overwhelming dread? Vacation time with kids can be a bit of both! With travel plans for spring break underway, now is the time to start planning. Explorer Amelia Earhart said, “Adventure is worthwhile in itself.” Exploring God’s creation is amazing. Really, the wonder…
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