The trends are not looking good for the mental and emotional health of young people, across all demographics. For instance, … More
Category: Boys
Raising Countercultural Kids in the United States of Addiction (Part 1)
In the late 1990s, author J.K. Rowling invented the term “muggle” as a derogative term for the normal people of … More
The Work Hards
There is a strange insult on youth athletic fields these days. “Don’t be such a Work Hard” is a slam … More
Parenting is Regulating
Every parent should regulate their children’s behavior until they are ready to regulate their own. It will likely be a … More
The Power of Kindness
Josh was a normal teenager whose father died. His mother moved them from their home in the country to the … More
Teach Your Kids Sportsmanship
If more parents focused on character over performance, then we would not need signs like this.
The Distance Run
I coach middle school cross country, which is not a glamorous job, but it is uniquely rewarding. For young distance … More
Tips for Motivating Young Teens
It takes more than a poster to motivate kids. Ask any schoolteacher. Early in their careers, young teachers will spend … More
Motivate. Don’t Manipulate Your Kids.
Once again, his room isn’t clean, not by any standard. Her backpack, jacket, and shoes are scattered about the floor … More
Perpetual Parenting
It’s likely that you are being a great parent even when you aren’t thinking about it. You may be doing … More
Kids in Cars Talking Life
The car is where the best stories have a chance to run and really stretch out their legs freely. It’s … More
Why Young Kids Should Learn to Use Dangerous Things
A friend recently posted on Facebook a picture of her three young children helping their dad build a deck. The … More
Take Your Kids Outdoors
Kids spend well over 40 HOURS per week in front of electronic screens, but less than 40 MINUTES per week … More
Play Well This Summer!
Summer School. Summer Job. Summer Reading. Yes, parents need to keep kids mentally active and productive in the summer. Growing … More
Raising Resilient Children
Resilience is the capacity to recover from adversity and return to well-being. Paul Tough, in his book How Children Succeed, … More
Fear Less, Parents
With the tragic news of the abduction and murder of ten-year-old Hailey Owens this week, many parents are afraid that … More
Fun = Connection
Have Fun with Your Child ASAP Good parenting has an order of operations. Insides come first. A child should feel … More
Connect With Your Young Teen
First Connect, Then Guide The best parents are the ones who are deeply connected with their children and offer support … More
Middle School Sports – The Good Stuff
Helping Your Teen Deal with a Sports Injury
So, your teenager is injured and is out for the rest of the season. Of course, his or her initial … More
The Sacred Honor of Being a Parent
A Unique Relationship Parenting is a unique relationship, wherein the parent is authorized by law and by God to protect, … More
Little League Parenting
So simple…
Parenting Digital Kids
Life Beyond the Screens If you ask most teens what item is their most prized, important possession, they will say … More
Introducing Kids to Nature
How to Turn Kids On To Nature I can’t tell you how many times one of my middle school students … More
The Nature Deficit
“I go into nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in tune once more.” – … More
What Does it Mean to Grow Up?
This is the time of year when I start to see some signs of maturity in my 7th grade students. … More
Stop, Look, Listen
Our kids, no matter the age, need us to be with them, explaining what makes one thing beautiful and another … More
Raising Boys to be Real Men
Boys are misunderstood. Too often, they are disciplined and shamed by their teachers, parents, or grandparents because it is falsely … More
