On December 17th, 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright changed the world by making the first controlled flight in a powered aircraft. But success came only after years of experimentation, failure, learning from their mistakes, and trying again. The Wrights persevered because they believed in their dream. They were also encouraged by their loving and supportive family. A monument in their honor reads: “In commemoration...

All too often, moms and dads want their kids to pursue the same dreams they once had.  The dad who was captain of the football team wants more than anything for his son to be the star of the team.  The mom who was a concert pianist now drags her daughter to piano lessons every week in hopes that she’ll be in the spotlight.  Instead of making your goals their goals, it’s important to let your kids dream their own...

Emotions are so powerful that at times they seem to overwhelm us. Emotions like jealousy, anger, fear, worry, and grief can put us on a reactionary path. But you don’t have to be controlled by your emotions. These tips may help. First, be the boss of your thoughts. Emotions certainly affect your thoughts, but your thoughts can also guide your emotions. Try to look at an emotional decision or situation with someone...

Maybe your son is passionate about art. Maybe your daughter is passionate about animals. No matter what it may be, every child is uniquely wired to be passionate about something. And, as parents, it’s up to us to help spark our child’s curiosity. To do so, there are certain things you should do with your children every year. First, take them to a science museum where they can experiment and learn. Second, take...

Susan and I often use texting to encourage our kids. Sure, there is no substitute for face-to-face conversations or talking on the phone, but texting is often an easy way to quickly communicate with our children. I want to inspire you to send one text message to each of your kids or grandkids each day over the next ten days. Here are a few ideas to help you get started. You can text, “You're an incredible young...

We all know the different types of moms. There are the feisty moms, the quiet moms, the controlling moms, and the relaxed moms. But there’s one thing that each of these moms has in common: The ability to be kind to their child. Though we often equate kindness with being weak, we must understand that being kind means using our words and actions to build up our children for good. So, here are 3 ways to be a kind...

When my daughters were young, it was easy to be their hero. All I had to do was carry them around the house on my shoulders or read them their favorite story. As my daughters have grown, so has my relationship with them. I’ve found more ways to be their hero. Here are a couple of things I do and you can too. First, tell her she is beautiful through your words and your actions. Second, take an interest in her life...