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

No Comments »

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

No Comments »

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

36 Comments »

A few things have converged in my son Jack’s life over the past couple months. Back in the spring, he and I began reading Take Your Best Shot by then-nine-year-old author Austin Gutwein.  It is the story of a boy who decided he didn’t want to wait until he was all grown up to do something big for God. Jack... >Read More

Tags: africa, basketball, better parenting, change, character development, children, difference, Elisabeth K. Corcoran, Family, kids, parenting, parenting essentials, spiritual development, spiritual growth, teenagers, teens, values, World

No Comments »

Parenting teens is MORE - more fun and more frustration.  As a parent of teens I swing between laughter and great joy and wanting to throttle someone.  (I never do, but the desire is there at times). I want to be clear that having teens is so much fun! No one told me!  They were too busy moaning about all... >Read More

Tags: attitude problems, beth scholes, better parenting, character, character development, Dr. James Dobson, education, Family, family values, FamilyLife Favs, grades, Jim Burns, parenting, parenting essentials, raising boys, raising girls, school, teen issues, teenagers

No Comments »

Have you ever stopped while pounding the pavement or walking the malls during the holiday season and asked yourself what is the point of this annual gift giving frenzy? Sure, it’s better to give than receive, and Christmas presents are an excellent way to share the love that God displayed to us so perfectly through the greatest gift of all... >Read More

Tags: better parenting, character development, Christmas, Culture, Family, Kevin Miller, Men, personal growth, priorities, Women

No Comments »

Seeking and Celebrating the Real Meaning of Christmas Entering a large grocery store a couple of months ago, I was startled by several large displays near the checkouts and exits. There, nestled in between the bins of fresh Halloween treats, were stacks of boxed Christmas chocolates and stocking stuffers. The Christmas season had begun...... >Read More

Tags: better parenting, character development, Christmas, Culture, discipleship, Family, Men, priorities, ruthann raycroft, small groups, Women

2 Comments »