Gone are the lazy, hazy days of summer.  As a parent, you may be breathing a sigh of relief, but don’t think your vacation starts just because your kids’ vacation is over.  In a few weeks, parent/teacher conferences will take place.  Take this opportunity to open the lines of communication with your child’s teacher.  Here are 7 questions you need to ask your child’s teacher.  First, is my child performing up to...

We all know that men and women often communicate in very different ways. So to find out how not to communicate with your wife, I decided to ask my own wife, Susan, for some helpful tips.  First, she told me never to approach your wife with attack intensity.  She explained that when communicating with a forceful attitude rather than a soft demeanor, your wife will become defensive.  Second, she warned that a...

Yesterday, I gave you three ways to motivate your child.  Here are the final four.  Fourth, give your child a “carrot”…a reward such as money for A’s or B’s. Fifth, be a cheerleader.  Children need affirmation…cheer them on…“good shot,” “way to go.”  Sixth, dream with your child.  Ignite her dream of being a musician.  Take her to see an orchestra.  Seventh, help your child set and own goals.  If your child owns...

Susan and I went on a trip with our good friends a few weeks ago. We’re really close with this couple. After Jay observed me interacting with Susan for a couple of days, he said to me, “I notice that when you and Susan talk, you interrupt her a lot. That’s not very respectful. Cutting her off while she’s speaking, even unintentionally, shows that you care more about what you want to say than what she is saying.”...

Susan and I were driving our daughter, Emily, to college.  Questions invaded my mind… “Did I prepare her?” “What did I miss?” “What else do I need to tell her?”  I realized that it didn’t make sense to try to squeeze a bunch of lectures and life lessons in at the eleventh hour.  I had purposefully prepared her for this since she was a little girl.  Here are four things I taught her and always want her to remember...

It seems like we’re surrounded by a lot of bad news lately. An unstable world economy… natural disasters… high unemployment. In the midst of so much uncertainty, where is your trust? In the government? Your bank account? Your property and possessions? Sometimes the circumstances we face can seem overwhelming. But relying on material things is not the answer. The things of the world won’t provide stability and...

In marriage, it’s wise to think first…then think again…and then say what’s on your mind.  For example, your spouse forgets to take out the trash for the hundredth time, or leaves the garage door open after you’ve asked them to close it when they get home.  Well, before you let them have it…wait. Think about what you’re going to say and how you’re going to say it.  The goal should be to help your spouse understand...