One clear September morning my son packed up his car and headed off to college.   Oh, I knew in my head that he was ready for the next stage of his journey.   Such a clear demonstration of maturity and wisdom is evident in almost any eighteen year old – what could possibly go wrong?!   I repeated like a mantra,... >Read More

Tags: adult children, better parenting, college, depending on God, faith, fear and anxiety, parenting essentials, Self, spiritual growth, teenagers, teens, trust, values

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Teach your kids to cook so you don't have to! Here's my philosophy in a nutshell: Each year after age 10, they learn to make one meal per year. So at 11 they can make 1. At 12 they can make 2. At 13 they can make 3. And so on, and so on, and so on. That way, when they move out... >Read More

Tags: better parenting, children, cook, cooking, Family, kids, parenting, parenting essentials, Shelia Wray Gregoire, teenagers, teens, values

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Publishers’ note:  This article was originally published Spring 2010, that will be evident in the details here, however due to the important nature of timeless truth this is being published here for our readers again. I love the Ontario Catholic School Boards. We all owe them a debt of gratitude, whether we’re Catholic or not. They took one...... >Read More

Tags: abstinance, better parenting, sex education, teenagers, teens, values

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As "Dr. Muriel" I have received many letters from teens and twenties who are addicted to cutting or self-harm. This epidemic has stunned me! Through research I learned that 13, 000 to 30, 000 girls and women use this as a way of coping. Even Princess Diana of England turned to cutting as a way to cope. When I started... >Read More

Tags: addiction, attitude problems, challenges & conflict, cutting, Dr. Muriel Larson, emotions, feelings, hardship & suffering, Life Issues, pain, parenting essentials, relief, resolving conflict, Self, self-harm, sexual problems, teenagers, teens

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#1 Parents must have the password The password is the key to unlock the door for full access into your child’s Facebook profile. It must be shared with the parents and only with the parents! This is essential for accountability and building trust in the relationship as it allows parents to spot check the News Feed and Inbox from time... >Read More

Tags: better parenting, children, essentials, Facebook, Family, FamilyLife Canada, FamilyLife Favs, internet, Jason & Kelli Krafsky, marriage, parenting essentials, peer pressure, social media, teenagers, teens

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New life is always a celebration! When a new baby arrives in your circle of influence welcome that little one with open arms. Don’t respond with disapproval if the circumstances around the birth have not been what you consider ideal. You have an opportunity to begin speaking into the heritage that little child will have. Your influence now can...... >Read More

Tags: baby, better parenting, birth, care, Celebrate, faith & spirituality, Family, growing in your faith, healthy, help, marriage, new life, new mom, newlywed, parenting essentials, priorities, teenagers, young mom

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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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