Our kids are constantly evaluated on their abilities at school, in sports, in the arts and even at home. But what about you?  What grade would your kids give you as a parent?  Well, here’s a way to make an A every time.  Remember the 6 A’s of parenting.  First is Affirmation.  When your children are sharing their feelings or opinions, they want you to listen to them, identify with them and affirm them.  Second is...

No, this is not the dating game. . .but, who your child marries will affect them for the rest of their life – for better or for worse.  Here are some tips to help them make a wise choice. First, decide with your heart. . .and your head.  The butterflies in the stomach may or may not last – so what are they like as a person?  Honest? Dependable? Kind?  Let your child know it is important to see beyond the cuteness...

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...

If you are a parent, at some point, the answer has probably been a resounding “Yes”!  But, all back talking is not the same.  Identifying the type can often lead to the solution.  There are four kinds of back talkers. First, the impulsive back talker. This is the child who blurts out whatever they think without considering the consequences.  The solution?  Tell them to pause, count to five and say the words in...

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...

If your teen is romantically involved, you should be involved in the process. Don’t ignore the situation and hope it will just run its course. Educate your teen about the importance of postponing intimacy until marriage, the dangers of date rape and sexually transmitted diseases, and the benefits of making wise decisions, even if those decisions aren’t always the popular choice. The best way to teach your teen...