Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Your actions speak so loudly that I can’t hear your words.” Kids learn more from watching how we live our lives than how we tell them to live theirs.  And your kids are watching you in so many ways. Here are 10 Ways your kids are watching you. First, your language.  They see how you speak to others.  Do you use kind words when you talk to your spouse? Do you cuss at others who cut...

In the movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, Will Smith plays a single father facing some tough stuff, along with his son.  Yet, Smith’s character maintains his self-confidence. He is determined to create a better life for himself and his son.  As a parent, it’s so important to have a strategy to build confidence in our kids in a world that constantly tells them they can’t. First, start by listening to your child. ...

You might be the youngest child… or the oldest… or maybe you’re right in the middle. And, what about your children? Your oldest child may be a natural-born leader.  Your middle child might be a good negotiator.  And, yes, your “baby” is likely the entertainer of the family.  You may even have a very mature “only” child at home.  And, even though you can’t change the birth order of your kids, it’s still good to...

For the last four Mondays I’ve talked about lies that can hurt your child.  The 5th lie parents tell their children is, “Every child should go to college.”  It’s true that every child has unique talents and abilities that should be discovered, praised, and nurtured.  But that doesn’t mean college is the right choice for everyone.Is college a good idea for your teen?  If your child has a passion and flair for...

The tasks seem simple enough at first… submitting college applications, completing school projects, and maintaining your home. But somehow you find yourself scrambling and stressing at the last minute over situations that could have been avoided.  Procrastination comes with a price. Here are some tips to keep you from paying dearly. Set up a calendar with college application deadlines. Stay on top of your child’s...

For the last few Mondays I’ve talked about lies that can hurt your child.  The 4th lie parents tell their children is, “Everyone’s a winner.”  As much as society may try to tell our children otherwise, the truth is that everybody is not a winner.  Sure, everyone likes to win the game or get a trophy, but your kids need to know playing has value even when you don’t win.  Defeat can motivate you to do better the...

 Author Leo Buscaglia once wrote about a four-year-old boy whose next-door neighbor was an elderly man who had recently lost his wife. One day, the little boy saw the man crying. So, he walked into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When he came home, his mother asked him what he said to the man. The little boy said, “Nothing, I just helped him cry.” There are four things we need...