We put a lot of time and energy in our work – extra hours, extra effort to get the contract or meet deadlines.  Hobbies can help give balance to the stress of our jobs, a needed outlet for creativity, or just release some pressure.  These are both good things. But why don’t we put the same effort into... >Read More

Tags: better parenting, character development, commitment, dads, family values, friendship, hardship and suffering, improving your marriage, parenting essentials, priorities, protecting your marriage, teenagers, teens, values

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April 12th, 2009 forced a change in my life. I remember making my way across the darkened parking lot and slipping in behind the wheel of my car in silence. Rain slipped down the windshield and I opened the window ever so slightly, hoping that the chilled air would remind me to breathe.  For 10 days I had sat... >Read More

Tags: adult children, better parenting, challenges & conflicts, change, character development, communication, death, divorce, family issues, hardship & suffering, healthy marriage, improving your marriage, job los, Joyce Simmons, new career, out of your control, parenting essentials, priorities, protecting your marriage, relationships, resolving conflict, Self, teens, values

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When my children were first born, I did something radical. I didn't really decorate their room. Part of it was a money issue; we had so little cash, and we were trying to save for a down payment for a house. I thought putting our money into an apartment sized washing machine would be a far better use of our... >Read More

Tags: bedroom, better parenting, castle, character development, child, child's room, children, Family, kids, parenting, parenting essentials, Shelia Wray Gregoire, values

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This past week I have been, quite literally, voiceless. A bad case of tonsillitis left me with little more than a whisper.  It’s been a very quiet week.  Today I still don’t have my voice back but I’m feeling just a bit better and I started to notice the changes in my behavior.  I realized  I’ve been stepping back. I... >Read More

Tags: better parenting, character development, communication, declaration of values, faith & spirituality, friend, help, hope, Life Issues, listening, relationships, Self, self-esteem, speaking, stress, trust, values

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Every now and then, an idea explodes through our collective consciences, challenging our notions about how life works. It happened in the fifteenth century when Galileo argued that the earth was round. It happened in the eighteenth century when upstarts in North America decided they wanted to govern themselves. And I hope, for some of you parents,...... >Read More

Tags: better parenting, character development, children, consequences, fail, Family, FamilyLife Canada, FamilyLife Favs, guide, parenting essentials, parents, Shelia Wray Gregoire, succeed, teach, teenagers, values

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There was a video on CNN yesterday that stopped me in my tracks. It wasn’t footage from Thailand, or election coverage.  It is a video of a little 5 year old girl  sitting in front of an image of 5 cartoon children. The children are all wearing the same dress and the same expression, only the color of their skin... >Read More

Tags: beauty, better parenting, character development, Family, family issues, family values, in the news, parenting, parenting essentials, racism, Self, social issues, World

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I never did believe in Santa Claus. My parents rejected the materialism that is so often peddled in the name of Christmas and kept the holiday pretty low key. I've always been grateful for this lesson, and rather cynical about those wild eyed Christmas fanatics running amok in the malls. Since the thought of receiving gifts from a fat, bearded...... >Read More

Tags: better parenting, character development, Christie Hoos, Christmas, Culture, Family, family values, healthy marriage, Men, parenting essentials, stress, Women

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