How To Forgive
So how do you encourage your kids to forgive? It might be more difficult than you think. And here's why: many of us parents have never learned the art. While we might believe that love keeps no record of wrongs, for the most part, we do. And we're not sure how to let...
Humiliation and Humility
We've all been humiliated–kids are no exception. I remember being in seventh grade when a classmate whispered across the aisle and called me an embarrassing name. I really didn't know how to respond. All I knew was that I was ashamed. And even though we hung out and...
Courage is Confusing
We know this isn’t courage, but when you’re a kid, it can be confusing. When do you walk away and when do you stay and fight? What does it look like to stand up for what is right? You can help your kids live courageously!
Let Me Encourage You
I have never met anyone who has been over-encouraged. I mean, have you ever come along side someone and tried to lift their spirits only to have them say, "That's enough. I've had more inspiration and motivation than I can handle. I don't need more support. Please...
Preteen Rhythms and a New Rule
One of the greatest adjustments I had to make in parenting happened when my kids soared past their tenth birthdays. It had to do with shifting rhythms, and I really found myself unprepared. I could deal with the rhythms of the first ten years of parenting fairly...
Where's the Line?
Great conversation so far this week about how to inspire our kids to keep dreaming. On one level, we all want our children to pursue their dreams. But this inevitably creates tension. We've probably all been at the talent contest where someone is singing off key and...
I Want My Kids To Be Happy
by Kendra Fleming I want a lot of things for my kids, but if I were completely honest, I would tell you that I want my kids to be happy. I don’t like it when they are sad. I feel bad when they don’t make the team. I hate it when they are not invited to the party. When...
Short Term Wins
If you're really going to help your kids value determination, you're going to be swimming against the cultural tide. When it's easy to quit, easy to change and there are a thousand other options at our fingertips, sticking it out to the very end is just difficult no...
Finding Your Personal Best
As 2010 winds down, you're probably doing what many of us are doing: reviewing the year. What went well? What didn't? I love doing this because, like you, I want to improve as we move into a new year. So how do you get better? The most popular theory says find...
Christmas Stress – Part Three
So it's day three of stress-reduction week on the blog. Here are two ways I've discovered that make December more enjoyable for me (and my family): Take a Holiday on Your Vacation I love thinking through the meaning of words, and while I'm no etymologist (and am not...
A Growing Parent
As a parent, you're busy. Who has time for reflection? Who really has personal time anyway? I know I used to resist being alone. I found it awkward to sit in silence. I'm a bit of an extrovert (less so with the passage of time) and an A type personality, and my...
Look Out Your Window
by an Orange Parent As I continue down this crazy journey called “parenting,” I keep discovering that it isn't just about me. Case in point, this year for Christmas I wanted to come up with something neat that my eight-year old daughter and I could do together to let...