The Freedom We Celebrate
I grew up in Northern Virginia. It’s important to note the “northern” part. Because Northern Virginia is a different world from the rest of the state. We consider ourselves an extension of Washington DC. The pace where life is faster, the obsession over politics is...
Two False Assumptions You Might Be Making About Kids
Try explaining AGE to a three-year-old. You may say, “One day you’ll be big like me!” And then he’ll respond, as he stands on a chair, “Look! I’m getting bigger already!” Teens aren’t clued in either. Sure, they get what it means to be 16, but they...
6 Ways to Meet Your Toddler’s Needs
Toddlers get a bad rap. Sure they whine and throw tantrums. But can you blame them? There’s a lot going on in those pint-sized bodies. By age two, your little one will grow to half their adult height—something they’ll spend the next two decades reaching. And their...
Because, One Day, Your Kids Stop Bugging You (Really)
You may have a toddler right now who won’t leave your side. You know the kind. The kid who’s glued to your leg, velcroed to your arm, who keeps wanting you to read the same story again, and again, and again. It’s driving you nuts some days, isn’t it? Hard to...
PCL 35: Are Your Kids on Track?
Family counselors David Thomas and Sissy Goff unpack a few ideas in their latest book Are My Kids On Track about how parents can help their kids reach emotional, social, and spiritual milestones through careful guidance. Addressing the differences between boys and girls, they discuss how parents can help kids develop into resilient and resourceful adults, and become comfortable in the process of growth.
34 Reasons My Middle Schooler Might Be Freaking Out
I recently stumbled across Jason Good’s 46 Reasons My Three-Year-Old Might Be Freaking Out. His socks are on wrong. His lip tastes salty. His shirt has a tag on it. The car seat is weird. . . (Read the rest of the list on Jason’s blog.) The first thing I thought when...
Why You Should Push Your Kids Out the Front Door
When I was a kid, one of my favorite things to do in the whole world was going with my grandpa to peddle watermelons. Not selling. Peddling. Selling is often fast paced and intense. We peddled. It was slow and laid back. We drove around town in his little white pickup...
Champion Tribes : Helping Middle School Boys Connect With Their Dads While Preparing Them For Life
Have you ever been to a little league game and watched the interaction between dads and their sons? It’s quite fascinating. And a bit entertaining. If you look closely, you’ll notice something far more important than just the game itself. In between the cheers,...
How to NOT Become the Distant Dad
So what do you do when your pre-teen or teen doesn’t want to hang out with you as a parent anymore? That can be a hard question to answer. In fact, while there’s a mountain of advice for parents of infants, often parents of pre-teens and teens can end up feeling more...
5 Things All First Graders Have In Common
Enter a room full of six- and seven-year-olds and you’re bound to spot one thing right away: the cute little gaps of kids who whistle while they talk. Forget calling it first grade. This is the Missing Teeth Club. And the similarities don’t stop there. Here are five...
