A good listener?  Hardly.  But maybe a good lecturer.  So what does it mean to parent as a good listener?  Well, I’ll give you a couple of hints… its more than the absence of talking… and it doesn’t involve multitasking when your child is speaking to you.   Listening is the active process of hearing what our child is saying, looking at their eyes and body language for clues, processing it all to determine what’s...

It’s not some high-tech gadget you can pick up at a store… it’s a sense of belonging. So how can you instill that in your kids? At home, let your kids know they’re important to you, and to your family. Affirm their positive character traits, encourage their unique gifts, and let them know their thoughts and opinions matter. Then, when you’re out in public, praise them to others – and proudly claim them: “This is...

Let’s face it, common courtesy is pretty uncommon these days. Do you hold the door open for people? Do you say “thank you” when people hold a door open for you? Do you remember to say “please” and “thank you” to the sales clerk, the mechanic, or the person at the drive-thru window? Do your co-workers or employees think of you as a courteous person? And what about your spouse and children? Do you show them the same...

  We all want to get promoted in our jobs. And, if you have kids, your most important job is being a parent. Here are four things you can do to get promoted in your most important job. First, be honest. Honesty always wins. You should be honest with your child at all times, even when it’s painful. Second, be reliable and keep your word. When you commit to doing something with your child, put it on your calendar....

  One of the best things you can do as a parent is to strive to live a model life that is worthy for your child to follow. Here are 5 ways parents can be a role model for kids. First, model consistency.  Your child needs to see that you are the same person no matter who you are with. Second, model control over words. Words matter. Make sure the words that come out of your mouth toward your spouse, your child, and...

You’ve seen them in the stores, at Little League, or at ballet class.  Spoiled kids acting out...as their parents just stand there.  Here are some ways you might be spoiling your kids.  First, you do everything for them.  Instead, take time to teach them how to do the task themselves.  And let them know there will be consequences if they don’t follow through.  Second, your kids boss you around and talk...

If they are, remember your position.  You’re there to be an encourager, not to be overbearing.  No child wants to be embarrassed by a parent who’s screaming and yelling uncontrollably.  I was coaching my son’s baseball game a few years ago and I got frustrated with the umpire’s calls.  So, what did I do? I got mad…threw my hat on the ground and walked off the field. Youth sports can bring out the best…or the worst...