Your kids may be more comfortable texting than talking…and that can be frustrating. But there is hope. Here are 3 steps that you can take to encourage more talking and relationship building: set the scene, set values, and set guidelines. First, set the scene. Discuss why they seem to struggle with putting technology over relationships. Admit where you may struggle and encourage them with sympathy, instead of...

As a parent, it’s important to handle disappointments in life well. Why? Because your children are watching and learning how to handle disappointments based on your behavior. So here are 3 ways to handle disappointments. First, face it. Being honest about what and why you’re disappointed is the first step toward overcoming it. Next, accept and move forward. Work within the framework of your present life—accepting...

As parents, most of us are deeply committed to raising our kids well. But no parent is perfect. We all mess up—probably more often than we’d like to admit. So here are 2 common parenting mistakes and how to avoid them. First, we refuse to let our children fail. To avoid this, we need to understand that removing the possibility of failure dilutes our child’s motivation to excel. Second, we make the mistake of...

To be fair, technology has been a part of their everyday existence in ways we could never have imagined at their age. Don’t assume the worst about your tech-obsessed child. Here are some reasons behind their habits. First, kids use technology to avoid awkward situations and conversations. Being heads down on their phones is one way to avoid that feeling.  Second, kids feel F.O.M.O. anxiety these days which means...

Being a mom is perhaps the most difficult and most rewarding job on the planet. So what’s the key to doing it well? Here are some simple ways to be a great mom. First, be available. Make spending time with your kids a priority. Next, be loving. Look your children in the eyes and tell them you love them on a consistent basis. Third, be generous with praise. Affirm their character and their gifts as often as you...

Blending two families can be rewarding, but also very challenging. So it is important to start off right.  In his article Stepparenting Discipline Dos & Don’ts, author Ron Deal offers the following suggestions on how a stepparent can do just that. First, make sure your spouse, the biological parent, has your back. It is important to present a united front. Second, don’t change rules on your own. Be sure your...

Everywhere you turn, you’re reminded of what you’re doing wrong—you’re told you need to lead better, live better, love better. But today, I’d like to remind you good dads of all the things you’re doing right. So to the All Pro Dads out there, here are 4 things you should know. First, you are committed. Your dedication to your family is incredible—keep it up!  Second, you are a great example. Each and every day,...