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One of the Best Things You Can Be For Your Kids

be present

My grandson James is four months old. I like to read the Bible to him, take walks with him around the yard, and sing to him. And every time I see him, I greet him the same way—by picking him up and saying, “Grandpa’s here!”

James doesn’t talk yet, so he can’t respond to me with words. If he’s wide awake, I can get him to smile or giggle. But I know that “Grandpa’s here” will have an important impact. It illustrates one of the best things dads and grandfathers can be for their kids and grandkids: present. I often say that the best present a dad can give to his child is to be present. Here’s how.

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5 Reasons Why Your Teen is Rebelling

teenage rebellion

Teenage rebellion is nothing new. Rebellious children have been around since the first children inhabited the earth. Remember Cain and Abel? So, what should you do about it? Run from the battle? Raise the white surrender flag in defeat? Go to war with guns a blazing? None of those things will accomplish very much and may end up killing your relationship with your child. Instead, it’s important to first get a handle on why your teen may be rebelling. Understanding why your teen is rebelling is foundational to understanding what we should do about it.

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What Millennials Really Need

the millennials

Have you ever been on a mission trip to a third world country? If so, you probably fed people. In third world countries, people crave basic needs, like food and water. When you meet people’s needs, you get their attention. So missionaries often reach people for Christ by providing food or medical help.

In our first-world culture, most people’s basic needs are already met. What people crave is higher on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: love and belonging. Family First’s mission is to reach people by meeting those needs, by providing parenting and relational truth that works. But according to the Pew Institute, many Millennials don’t think they need God.

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The Parenting Idea I Stole from My Wife

parenting advice

My wife Susan is very creative in all aspects of her life, and that includes parenting our five children. There are times when I see her doing something creative with our kids and think, “I want to be a part of that!”

Many years ago, I watched Susan and our daughter Megan start trading a writing journal back and forth. After this went on for a few weeks, I noticed them laughing and talking more together. Pretty soon, Susan had these journals going with all of the kids. I felt left out of the fun and bonding so I took her idea and started journaling back and forth with our kids too! Of course, she didn’t mind, and maybe it was her plan all along to make it look so fun that I would practically beg to be a part of it, instead of telling me that I should do it.