Great Insecurities…Great Opportunities
When Reggie and I were finishing up our recent parenting book, I called him to tell I'd noticed something as I read the final manuscript. I realized that none of the personal stories we ended up using in tbe book painted either him or I in a favourable light. Each...
Try This At Home
It's tempting as a parent to think we need to reward knowledge and outcomes, to teach our kids to play it safe until they are guaranteed a good result. Scott Belsky, CEO of Behance, disagrees. Belsky thinks knowledge and outcomes matter to some extent, but he got...
Helping Kids Deal with Peer Conflict
As my 2nd grader exited the bus he walked toward me but looked away. Without uttering a word, I knew something was wrong. Rarely does my little guy greet me at the bus stop without offering a hug. On this day there was no smile, but rather a tear rolling down one...
Afraid of the Dark
by Sarah Anderson I am mama to a two-year-old who is going through a bit of a rough stage. He is becoming more aware of being alone at night. And he is afraid. Of the dark. Of strange noises and imaginary monsters. So in order to calm these prevalent fears, his dad...
When Should You Give Your Kids Their Own Phone?
Ten-year-olds today live in a significantly different world than ten-year-olds even a few years ago. Today, when you get a phone you don't just get something to dial if you're going to be late for dinner or you're in danger. You get everything with it—Facebook,...
Making Their Own Mark
I’m sure if you are a parent, you have realized by now how unique each one of your kids is. To me, it’s astounding how I helped create these amazing human beings who are unlike anyone in the world. Sometimes, I falsely assume my two are a miniature version of me or my...
A Father's Reflections
A few weeks ago, our family had one of its most amazing celebrations yet. My oldest son, Jordan, married the love of his life. They are so ready for this and the life that is ahead of them in Christ. We couldn't be happier for them. A wedding is a monumental moment in...
Don’t Do It For Your Kids
We do so much for our kids: work late to ensure we keep climbing the ladder enroll our kids in lessons and activities so they have every opportunity drive them all over town and beyond so they can keep an active social life buy them things they don't really need so...
Growing Pains
By Tim Walker Lately, I’ve been leaking my emotions. A lot. And what’s been spilling out has been dousing my sons. (If you’re not sure, what I mean by “leaking,” read this post.) I’ve been really short with them. Annoyed. Frustrated. And I think I know the reason. It...
How to Stay on the Same Page as Parents
As we've seen earlier this week, it's so easy to get off the same page as parents. You don't have to try. It's almost automatic. And while it's easy to do, it's not great for our kids. It's also not what you set out to when you became parents. So how do you get on...
Unpacking
Our family is in the middle of an epic seven week Camp KidJam summer tour. With kids aged 4-9, that means Dan and I are doing most of the important packing for them. To ensure that they have enough underwear, sturdy shoes and a toothbrush rather than only stuffed...
The Challenges of Child-Centered Parenting
I've always wondered why celebrities seem so messed up. Can't there be one couple that stays together forever? Why do famous people have weird riders in their contracts about red M&Ms? Why the rush to serial cosmetic surgery? How come there's so much addiction?...