Family Life | Make It Personal
Be Kind to Yourself
It doesn’t take long to realize that we tend to develop our identity based on our behavior. That’s true for your life and for your kid’s life. If we have gold stars for behavior, then we believe we have a good identity. And if we mess up or... Read More
Family Life | Make It Personal
Be as Brave as Your Kid
One night, while driving home from youth group, my oldest daughter came up with an idea. “Dad, tomorrow, I’m going to ask my English teacher if I can use her coffee pod machine.” As teens are known to do, L.E. has developed a taste for coffee. Apparently, getting up... Read More
Imagine The End | Make It Personal | Social Life
Shutting Down Gossip and Building Character
It was one of those major learning lessons in my parenting life. My wife Cathy and I were “speculating” at the kitchen table one day that one of our neighbors were probably getting a divorce. The husband hadn’t been around, and Cathy had heard from one of the... Read More
Birth - 5 years | Make It Personal
Does My Child Measure Up? A Milestone Comparison Trap
Google “developmental milestones” and you may be surprised to see 1.5 million results. Are there that many milestones in the 18-year lifespan of a child from birth until they graduate from high school? No, definitely not. 1.5 million results tells us that common milestones happen at different times,... Read More
When Asking For Help Is Not Enough
If you’re anything like me, you find yourself in this situation often: eyes closed, fists clenched, blood pressure rising, and the only words you can grumble are . . . God, help me. The chocolate milk has been spilled for the fourth time in one meal. God, help... Read More
Birth - 5 years | Family Life | Make It Personal
Confessions of an Insecure Mom
I’m doing my best. I’m trying to care for my child the best I know how. Aren’t we all? I’m trying to raise him well, make informed decisions, love him to the very ends of my human limits. And somehow it’s not enough. And too much. All at... Read More
Family Life | Make It Personal | Self Care
How to Find Refreshment in the Middle of Summer
Think back to what summer was like before you had kids. Do you remember the glory of it? The late start to the day. Creating your own schedule. Taking actual vacations? (Because let’s be honest, a day at the beach with kids is not really a vacation. It’s... Read More
Celebrations | Make It Personal
Mother’s Day Gets Complicated
Mother’s Day is over 100 years old. Although Anna Jarvis created the holiday in 1908, it wasn’t an official holiday until six years later when Woodrow Wilson signed it into law. It was a day created out of a prayer Anna overheard from her mom, that there be... Read More
Character and Values | Make It Personal
Growing in Wisdom as a Parent
“If any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He will give it to you. God gives freely to everyone and doesn’t find fault,” (James 1:5, NIRV). James wrote this verse for a very specific group of people. His readers were facing a myriad of... Read More
Birth - 5 years | Make It Personal
The Truth About the Baby Phase
Becoming a parent is one of those experiences in life where basically every cliché is true: It goes so fast. You’ll miss this. Just wait until they’re walking/talking/teenagers. They’ll grow out of it. It will get easier. At Parent Cue, we say something similar: It’s just a phase. So... Read More