Giving Your Teenager the Freedom to Fail
Being a parent is really hard, but letting go is even harder. Think about it. If you are a young parent, you realize that you are pretty much in control of all the decisions your child makes—what kind of clothes they are going to wear, where they’re going to go, what kind of food they are going to eat. You are in control.
5 Ways to Teach Your Children to be Courageous
Being courageous does not mean you don’t have anxiety or fear. It means you do the right thing and stand strong no matter the cost or how scared you might be. Here are 5 ways to teach your kids to be courageous. 1. Set the Example The eyes of your kids are always on you. […]
Tried and True Technique for Marriage Communication
I’m a wordsmith. I hang on every word that is said. I’m a literal listener. My wife, Susan, is not. She’s a big picture person. She’s intuitive and reads emotions. Because of our differing styles of communication and information processing, whenever Susan and I have a tough topic we need to address, we use what’s […]
7 Goals You Should Accomplish in 10 Years
“If we all did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.” – Thomas Edison. When setting personal goals, we should first take stock of where we already are. Perhaps you have done quite well financially, but your personal relationships are severely lacking. Maybe your marriage is secure and amicable, but in […]
How to Be a Courageous Dad
Tony Dungy and I first met in 1997, a year after he became head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since that time, he and I have worked side by side helping men to be the best fathers they can be through our All Pro Dad program. Recently, Tony and I were sitting in […]
5 Traits of a Good Marriage
Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, say in their book, When Bad Things Happen to Good Marriages, that there are 5 traits of a healthy, life-long marriage: ownership, hope, empathy, forgiveness, and commitment. Here is a summary of each of those characteristics. 1. Ownership: Taking Responsibility Often, couples believe their problems are the result of […]
10 Ways to Help Kids Deal with the Loss of a Family Member or Friend
Experiencing loss is a part of life. Losing someone is a challenge no matter what age you are. Imagine how much harder it is for children who have never experienced what it is like to be separated from someone they love. Here is a list of things to keep in mind when talking with […]
What if the Curtain Were Pulled Back on Your Life?
“Why don’t you talk to me the way you talk to your Family First supporters?” My wife shot this unexpected question over the bow of my ship in response to my speaking harshly to her. It was one of those penetrating questions that is tough to answer. I realized very quickly that I was speaking unkindly. Compartmentalization […]
12 Truths About Parenting
Today I’d like to share with you about parenting. It is not an easy task, but it is a rewarding one. Here are 12 truths that I hope will be helpful for you. 1. Parenting is “heart work.” It’s not just about outward obedience, it’s about the inward attitude of your child. 2. Parenting […]
