Several years ago, my son came home from his game and asked me, “Were you there for the first quarter of my game, Dad? I started!” I responded “I didn’t get back into town and to the game until the second quarter...but you did great!” I then added, “But you really need to start eating better.” My son was silent. The disappointed look on his face showed me that my criticism had completely crushed the compliment I...

Every family has relationships and relatives that are difficult. Here are some tips on how to handle these guests in your home. Maybe you have a “Judgmental Judy.” Judy is the relative that is always telling everyone what someone else is doing wrong, usually behind their backs. Be ready to gently remind Judy that you're not going to listen to constant judgments about others. Or, maybe you’ve got a “Profane Paul.” ...

When our older kids are home for the holidays, it’s easy to get excited about having everyone together. But our high expectations can sometimes lead to disappointments if not managed well. So, here are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, realize that your older kids are getting more accustomed to managing their life. So give them some space, avoid instruction and just enjoy being with them. Second, know...

Are you struggling to make your holidays happy in your home?  I’m Mark Merrill with today’s Family Minute. The holidays, like life, are all about relationships. And relationship mistakes can kill the holiday mood. So don’t let the good things take your focus off the best things. It’s easy to let the fun, creative, and well-intended trappings of the season cause you to lose your focus on your...

So-called work-life balance is a myth. People search for it, but never find it.  So stop worrying about achieving that balance and start striving to be present. Think about these three Ps that will help you to be more focused on being present for your family.  First, prioritize. When you step back and look at how you spend your time, you’ll realize that some things like your favorite television show just aren’t as...

Part of being a great dad…an All Pro Dad, means using words that encourage your kids.  It means taking every opportunity you get to make your child feel special and loved by you.  So here are some things you should say to your kids every day.  First say, “I love you.”  Love is the foundation for building a strong relationship with your kids.  And since you can never say it too often, tell your kids you love...

Everyone needs affirmation, encouragement, and compliments…your children do too. And the best person to give them that boost they need is YOU: their parent. So to help get you started, here are some compliments your kids need to hear.  First, compliment their character.  When your child demonstrates honesty, integrity, or kindness, take them aside and offer a sincere compliment.  Second, compliment their...