Skin in the Game Changes Everything
It’s fun to surprise your kids with gifts and luxury experiences like a 13-year-old getting a manicure. But it’s equally important to give them the gift of working for a dollar, saving that dollar and only spending it on things they really care about. Read More
Imagine The End | Make It Personal
Parenting Takes Courage
Confession: I lay awake at night and worry about my kids. It’s true. I know that worry is a waste of time. I know that worry shows a lack of faith. But sometimes . . . I worry. I have a child about to graduate from high school... Read More
Character and Values | High School (9th-12th) | Imagine The End
Developing Character and Responsibility in Your Teen
We must go through the process of releasing control over our teens so they can move toward responsibility. A person who never learns to take full responsibility for their own life and actions will never have the chance to develop healthy character, or to be fully alive, and... Read More
High Hopes
We all have high hopes for our future, especially for our kid’s future. We all want the “perfect” family and we even try to fake it to the world through social media. But the truth is, we are not perfect. Our lives are filled with imperfect moments. But... Read More
Birth - 5 years | Imagine The End
Your Preschooler Doesn’t Have to “Like” It
If we can teach our kids how to face the things they do not like, we prepare them to be gracious, patient, and experience more out of life. Read More
High School (9th-12th) | Imagine The End
The Temporary Car Lot at My House
I’m not exactly sure how to say this without it coming across like I’m bragging, so I’ll just come out and say it. I’m overly considerate. Before you nominate me for humanitarian of the year, let me rephrase that. I’m overly . . . conscious of inconveniencing anyone.... Read More
Character and Values | Imagine The End
Helping Kids Come Alive
“Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind.” That’s what Donovan sang way back in 1965. Sure—on the surface, it’s a sweet ode to his true love. But let’s be honest. He might as well have been singing about being a parent. I know I’ve... Read More
Character and Values | Imagine The End | Special Topics
Why Showing Kindness to Your Spouse Matters to Your Kids
My wife and I worked with teenagers for many years, and one of the skills we learned was to ask great questions, which often lead to great conversations. Now we work with married people; but we get to practice those same skills on our own kids, who are... Read More
Character and Values | Imagine The End
Celebrate Kindness: Random Acts of Kindness Day Ideas
What’s more important to you as a parent: How happy your kids are? How well your kids achieve? Or what about how kind they are to others? According to the Making Caring Common Project, 80% of youth in their study feel like their parents are more concerned with their... Read More
Character and Values | Imagine The End
How to Cure the “Gimmees”
If there was an essential oil to cure “the gimmees”—the incessant greed and want my kids have for something more—I would buy it, sell it and be an essential oil advocate like you’ve never seen before. Because I don’t know about you, but in our house, greediness shows... Read More