Fight For The Heart | Social Life
Walking A Child Through Heartbreak
Going back to my parents’ house is like going through a time warp. My old bedroom is exactly how I left it when I graduated high school. This past Christmas, while visiting, I came across an old journal. I picked up at the start of my Senior year,... Read More
3 Ways to Help Your Kids with Peer Pressure
It would be easy if all you had to do was tell random groups of people, “No thanks, I’m not going to jump off a bridge today.” It’s usually not that direct. It’s far more subtle, often with dreadful consequences. So how do you as a parent help... Read More
Social Life | Widen The Circle
The Other Person Your Child Needs
We’re miles apart connected through cell phones, but the smile I feel in her voice sinks into my bones. With me, through moves across the country, career changes, moments when I was feeling sorry for myself, and times I needed to celebrate, Sibyl always had the words that... Read More
Social Life | Widen The Circle
Parenting Hack: Create a Board of Advisors
Carlos Whittaker gives a practical way to invite other adults to speak into the lives of your kids at critical times. OTHER PARENTING HACKS Date Your Kid’s Desires Change the Wi-Fi Password Read More
Coaching Friendship
Imagine a parent of a child you know approaching you. “Can (insert their child’s name) and I speak with you and (insert your child’s name) privately for a minute?” Maybe this kind of “confrontational” conversation raises your blood pressure? I know it raises mine. Thoughts spiral and I... Read More
What to Do If Your Friends Are Raising Jerks
Is there anything harder than making friends with other couples? When you first get married, you tend to run into two possible scenarios: The wives get along, but the husbands don’t. The husbands get along, but the wives don’t. By “not get along” I don’t mean they have... Read More
There Will Be Jerks: Help Your Kids Navigate Bullying Before It Gets Bad
A simple way to expose that your kid is being bullied is just to ask them. I ask my kids all the time, “Have you bumped into any jerks lately?” I know I can’t wait for them to be brave enough to tell me someone bothered them on... Read More
Open Your Home
I love beautifully decorated homes with every little thing in place. A candle quietly burning, fresh flowers in a vase, soft music playing, the floors and bathrooms are spotless and the furniture is freshly polished – and vacuum lines on carpet – ahh they make me feel happy. As... Read More
How to Invite Others to Invest in the Lives of Your Kids
It’s important to Invite adults with shared values to invest in the lives of your kids. I am often asked by other parents how to do this. Parents are eager to encourage these relationships but don’t know how to begin. Here are my best recommendations for how to... Read More
Social Life | Widen The Circle
Fireworks and Spontaneous Family Reunions
As light shoots into the sky, we huddle up. Ooooohhh. Ahhhhhh. Wow. An aerial art show stills the crowd on New Year’s Eve or Independence day—or every day if you live in the Magic Kingdom. Lakeside, oceanside, cityside. In amusement parks, under a bridge, surrounded by mountains. We... Read More