Welcome to the Cave
My wife is incredibly social. She can talk to anyone, and anyone talks to her. She’s one of those people whom random strangers seek out to divulge all kinds of information. She can ride in an elevator with someone and know more about their lives than a close friend...
Snowmageddon
By Julie Tiemann Snowmageddon. Snowpocalypse. Whatever you call it, Atlanta was crippled by it a few days ago. There’s a lot of debate on how two inches could take down a bustling city in a few short minutes, but beautiful stories are emerging too. Stories of heroism,...
The Necessary White Space
By Sarah Anderson Every night at 6:45, the evening bedtime routine begins. My husband takes two lively and squirmy boys upstairs for a bath that usually ends up as a splashing, wrangling, wrestling match of sorts. Sometimes it results in clean boys, and sometimes just...
Lightening Up Christmas
It seems to me, in recent years, Christmas has become quite the conundrum. Maybe it always has been as complicated as it now feels, or maybe I’m just more tuned in since becoming a parent, but it seems like everything you do—or don’t do—this time of year is intended...
Don’t Be Late For Dinner
As you head into Thanksgiving, remember that there’s more at stake than just a feast. You’ll be gathering with your circle of people, deepening that sense of belonging that somehow gets strengthened even more deeply when you’re sharing food.
The Words that Stick
We lived for a few solid years in our family not having to really watch our words. We could have conversations about dessert, fun places to go, and toys. And our toddlers would be none the wiser. But this past year, we turned a corner. We’ve started spelling. Even...
Reuse, Recycle and Repeat
Of all the things a child hears a parent say, some phrases get repeated again and again: "Don’t tease your sister." "That sofa was not designed to be used as a weapon." "If you pee in the pool, all the water around you will turn blue." As a child, I lived in such...
Secrets for Dads From a Daughter
I happened to be at the wedding when Reggie, my dad, read this letter to his friend Mark on the day he gave his daughter away in marriage. Even though it was directed primarily to fathers, I couldn’t help but learn a few things myself. I also thought of a few secrets...
How to Raise Obedient Kids – For All the Wrong Reasons
Obedience will no longer be something you want from them to make a problem go away, it will be something you want for them to solve a problem themselves.
Your Sunday Best
By Terry Scalzitti Growing up, I can remember my mom saying, "Be sure to put on your Sunday Best!" For most kids, that meant you ought to be clean, tidy, and looking perfect when you go to church. But at the core of this well-meaning admonishment is a comparison game...
5 Signs You Might be a Boastful Parent
There's an ongoing debate about the impact of social media on kids. My guess is you've got an opinion on it. But instead of dumping on our kids, let's talk about something we can control a little more directly. How are you interacting with social media as a parent?...
Patience = Money in the Bank
By Terry Scalzitti Some friends of mine recently told me they were at their wit's end. They had two children who—in their words—were "driving them crazy." Since they didn't think that destination would change anytime soon, they asked for some practical ways to improve...