Ready or Not
Fresh out of college, my son’s first grade teacher vibrated with enthusiasm for her students. She wore a constant smile, too. I liked her. I liked her so much that I volunteered to be Room Mom. And then we had our first parent/teacher conference where she looked me... Read More
Imagine The End | Middle School (6th-8th)
What Middle Schoolers Are Watching on YouTube
One of the most prominent things I’ve noticed about this generation of teenagers is the increase in middle schoolers’ involvement with social platforms, and especially their involvement with YouTube. In fact, recent studies have shown between 80-95% of Generation Z uses YouTube more than any other social media... Read More
Kids and Screen Time
After over twenty years of working with teens, I find myself in a very interesting place. I’m now a parent of two teens and a third who, because of his older siblings, believes he’s a teen. And, though I never ever thought parenting would be easy for me,... Read More
Lessons I’ve Learned From Being a Clueless Dad
Father’s Day always reminds me of my first day as a father. It was a crisp fall; the leaves were turning a heavenly gold as the squirrels gathered the last nuts before winter. Finally, the anticipation was over, and this would be the day I would become a... Read More
Leaving a “Legacy” Feels Overwhelming
There are some people who are intentional about leading. They love leadership. They listen to podcasts, read books, and go to conferences, all to be come a better leader. They love words like “legacy” and “heritage.” Words like that seem overwhelming to me. I get that they are... Read More
Character and Values | Imagine The End
Honesty: A Big Thing That’s Built In Small Ways
Restaurants are one of the greatest places to teach your kids honesty. Amusement parks are good, too. A movie theater will work in a pinch as well. How? What do those three things have in common? Age restrictions. Restaurant menus, amusement parks, and movie theaters are all places... Read More
Celebrations | High School (9th-12th) | Imagine The End | School Life
This Time Next Year
As this year’s graduates said their goodbyes, I watched with a renewed attention. This will be us next May. Celebrating. Dreaming. Planning. So much of what I thought I knew about parenting has unraveled over the past few years. My oldest son is truly the test subject in... Read More
A Story Worth Telling
Everybody loves a story with a great plot line. We applaud the hero, sitting mesmerized at the edge of our seat while good battles evil, or while right struggles with wrong, hoping for good to win. We cheer when good prevails and even get emotional when the victim gets... Read More