Kids and Pets: A Winning Combination

Children and pets are a natural combination. Having a best buddy, especially one who loves unconditionally, is a gift for a kid. 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. While companionship is…

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Raise Responsible Kids

Raise responsible kids. It’s an ongoing task for parents. Guide kids in making good choices because as kids mature, the stakes are higher. Modeling accountability, having appropriate expectations, providing routines and opportunities for kids are all part of raising children to be responsible adults. Seven Tips to Raise Responsible Kids Model Be trustworthy, honest, dependable,…

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Spanking Considerations for Parents

To spank or not to spank kids. Mention spanking and you’ll get a variety of responses. “I would never hit my child,” stated one mom firmly in a parenting class. Another mom responded, “It’s the most effective form of discipline I use.” Two ends of the spectrum. Is spanking okay? The answer is, “Sometimes.” Children…

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Are Our Kids Experientially Poor?

Are our kids experiencing life, real life? Are they experientially poor because we don’t allow them to fully enter into decision-making, problem-solving, conflict-resolving situations? When we step in, kids don’t have the opportunity to step up.  We’re actually making life more difficult in the long run. Tips to Erase Experientially Poverty Let kids fail. Failure…

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A 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.…

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Kids and Cell Phones: When to Say YES

A commonly asked question in parenting classes is, “When can a child have a cell phone?” The question is often followed by, “He tells me all his friends have one.” Not all kids have cell phones. And there’s no perfect age. It’s a privilege, not a right. Middle school and high school kids are the…

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With All Your Strength: Parenting Shift Series

How strong are you? Let’s finish our look at Mark 12:30 by delving into strength. Really, how strong are you? I think I’m strong until I spend an entire day in the yard working and wake up sore the next morning. Or worse yet, think I can handle the storms of life only to get…

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I'm BORED!

Summertime is more relaxed and carefree, a great time to build family unity along with treasured family memories. But by the end of July, the novelty of summertime CAN wear thin. At this point, many parents start to hear the irritating, whinny phrase, “I’m bored.” Here’s an idea that nipped that comment in the bud at…

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