What should be a dad’s mind-set in raising his kids? I’m Mark Merrill with today’s Family Minute. The mind-set of many fathers is thinking that their job as a dad is to be just a provider and protector. But that’s not enough. An All Pro Dad needs to have a new mind-set and know his purpose. Let me illustrate. Navy SEALS are physically and mentally tough. Their job and their mission are all-important.  That’s their...

Do you know the essentials of fatherhood? I’m Mark Merrill with today’s Family Minute.  In my new book, All Pro Dad, I lay out seven essential M’s every father must know to love and lead his kids well. The first M is Makeup. To know your Makeup, you have to understand two things—your identity and your gifts. First, your identity. Your identity is who you are. It’s what makes you valuable. You are valuable because...

The male Zeus bug, a tiny water bug common along Australia’s east coast, hitches a ride on the female for up to a week, counting on the female to feed him and mate with him at will. That’s a bug’s life. It’s all take and no give. Sound familiar? Well, in the lives of humans there’s a law of diminishing returns when one side always gives and the other always takes. Marriage needs to be a 100%/100%,...

As I share in my new book, All Pro Dad, Tony Dungy, Truett Cathy, and Michael W. Smith are committed fathers. All of them understand that being a dad is their most important job…they understand that it’s serious business and they make a huge investment of their time and energy in that business. And, all of them understand that their mission as a dad is all-important. That mission is to love their children well and...

Several years ago Money magazine performed a tax season experiment. Forty-five tax professionals participated in preparing the magazine's tax return. The result? Forty-five different bottom-lines. That’s hard to believe.  Now think about all the “professionals” out there who might give you many different bottom lines on how to be a better parent. But all should agree on these three things that your kids need from...

During my twenty-two year quest of being a dad, I’ve experienced the joy of standing on mountaintops and the pain of crawling through valleys. Fatherhood is full of fun, excitement, and adventure, but difficulty and pain in raising children may unexpectedly leap across our trail like a wild beast attacking us and our kids. In my new book, All Pro Dad, I’ll show you how to slay those beasts and stay the course,...

Moms spend a lot of time with their children, it’s the nature of the job.  But well thought out, one-on-one time with our kids is harder to come by. So get out your calendar and make it a priority.  Before you go, plan on using the time you have together to really get to know what your child is feeling and thinking with our Conversation Goal suggestions. Here are 8 great dates for moms and sons.  And, don’t miss...