When Kids’ Disrespect Gets You Fuming!!!
The memory is vivid. Our eldest son Daniel was quick with his tongue when unhappy. Quick and usually ugly. One day I was sternly (…OK harshly) disciplining my daughter for laziness, and she burst into tears. Daniel emerged from his room brashly declaring, “Way to go, ogre!” My face went flush, my ears got hot, […]
Your Family and Youth Sports: Maximize the Learning – Minimize the Stress
I’m a coach for my son’s 5th grade football team. I’ve learned the basics of coaching, how to break things down to teach skills that will help the team succeed. I love the game, the kids, the coaches. It’s been a tremendous joy to be part of the team as I try to encourage […]
Little Eyes Are Watching
I was fixing the toilet. Two-year-old Bethany was playing in a room down the hall. I was doing final repairs needed before we closed on the sale of our house. I just needed to get my little wrench down in the tank to tighten the bolt on the new flushing chain. As I held the […]
Kids’ Chores Made Easy!
Doing chores is an important part of growing up, according to researchers. Doing everyday jobs promotes community and a sense of well-being. But, we are asking our kids to do less and less to help. Sometimes, we just do a chore ourselves, because it is easier. Or, because our kids are so busy with outside activities […]
When Kids Bug Us for Money
Early Job Training Produces More Than Money. Former CF staff member Brian Houts shared this story with us of teaching responsibility through mowing lawns. It’s ugly. It’s a gray lawnmower with a 5 horsepower Tecumseh engine and a 20 inch deck. The perfect balance of size and power for a… 10 year old? Buy a […]
The Bigger the Meltdown, the Bigger the Opportunity
“Where sin abounds, Grace abounds more” When a child really “loses it” – the freakin’ out, screaming and kicking kind of lose it – parents have a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate either grace or “ungrace.” Having done the “ungrace” response many times, I know that the impulse is to meet a child’s tantrum with a […]
When Kids Act Up… Breathe In God’s Presence
“It was as if I was breathing in God’s presence. I immediately grew calm, and instead of seeing the situation with anger, I saw it with compassion. I got down on my knees and looked my daughter in the eyes. A whole new way of thinking and talking flowed. I offered a hug and said ‘I love you!’ My child […]
Helping Kids Learn Independence from Tots to Teens
Our teen-aged son had been working on a variety of “extra-credit” home projects for us as a way to earn money. (For younger parents, don’t miss Tips for Tots application below.) I definitely noticed some strengths and weaknesses in his work habits. I was tempted to give him the rundown of my assessment, and […]
Tantrums From Tots To Teens
Teen Tantrums Teen Tantrums are not all that different than two-year-old tantrums. So read the tip below and apply those principles. But there are some distinctions, too. Because teen tantrums are usually verbal, the teens frequently say things that “hook” our emotions. These things can feel quite hurtful. When parents respond out of that […]
“Stop Whining!” – A Success Story!
A Thoughtful Approach to Whining “Whining” is a common problem whether children are toddlers, or teens demanding to get what they want. When parents try to make the whining or demanding stop, it usually backfires. Consider this story from a family we coached regarding the “constant whining” of their son Bryan, who joined their family […]