It seems like everything we hear today links strength with independence… it’s the American way, right?  Well, independence is great if you’re talking about things like freedom and finances, but not when it comes to family relationships. There’s only one independent Being in the universe and it is not you or me!  We are made to be dependent.  A child should depend on, and live under, the authority of his mother and...

I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t want a strong, close-knit family. The question is: How do we move from wanting one to having one? Growing up, I remember seeing a highway billboard over and over again on our road trips. It said, “The Family That Prays Together, Stays Together.” A number of recent studies have revealed that there is in fact some truth to this timeless slogan.  Specifically, research has shown that...

The term “sibling rivalry” often comes to our minds a whole lot faster than “sibling love.”  Perhaps it’s because of the way the backseat of our car is constantly filled with, “Tell Kevin to stop pulling on my hair,” or “Make Janie leave me alone!”  Teaching your children to love one another is never easy, but is always worth it.  So here are 5 ways to encourage sibling love in your family.  First, encourage warm...

I think of moral margin as creating an extra amount of space between us and immorality—immoral thinking and immoral actions. Here 6 ways to create moral margin in your life. First, build a relationship with a “personal auditor.” Just as a financial auditor would do a complete examination of financial records, your “personal auditor” would be given authority by you to ask you questions about your life and your...

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...

You've heard that two wrongs don't make a right, but it's possible that you can right a wrong with the written word. Maybe this has happened to you. You say something in the heat of the moment, you take a joke too far; someone you love gets hurt. You need to apologize, right? Why not try something a little different. Write it out in a note, you can even use our free stationery. A note can be a well thought...

Behind the bratty child may be a workaholic parent. Behind the gossiping man or woman might be an emotionally removed spouse. And behind the alcoholic son may be an abusive or alcoholic father.  We know the truth all too well: Hurt people hurt people. So how can you keep your hurts from leading you to hurt others? Here are 3 ways to break the cycle. First, explore old wounds. Admit you’ve been hurt and try to...