The trends are not looking good for the mental and emotional health of young people, across all demographics. For instance, … More
Category: Spiritual Development
Raising Countercultural Kids in the United States of Addiction (Part 2)
Raising Countercultural Kids in the United States of Addiction (Part 2) In the previous post, we looked at how young … More
The Holidays Are a Magnifier
The Holidays — the six weeks of Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas, and New Years — are a magnifier. In general, happy … 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
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
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
Ordinary Parenting
Parenting is messy. It’s often a blender full of emotions, tasks, and conflicts. That why we so often feel pureed … More
The Peril of Productionism
My wife and I struggle with what I call productionism. It is a variation of perfectionism. It is the … 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
Prepare for Happiness
Lately, I have been pondering the question, “What are some things that I can do to put myself in a … More
Teach Your Children Compassion
No matter the age, our children need to be trained to be compassionate. It does not come naturally. Kids are … More
Preparing for the Storm
If you have ever sat with a weather radio in a dark basement or closet during a tornado warning, or … 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
It’s Never Too Late to Reconnect With Your Child
I could tell that things weren’t right with me and my boy. He was avoiding me. I was annoyed with … More
The Nature Deficit
“I go into nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in tune once more.” – … More
Mister Rogers
I’m a huge Fred Rogers fan, so I was skeptical when I heard about the video remix recently done about … More
Protecting Kids From the Inside Out
Unlike consumer products, parenting comes without instructions or guarantees. We all want our children to grow up happy, healthy, successful, … More
Disappointing Birth Brings Hope
By Julie Kerckhoff Mary and Joseph had just survived an untimely, government-mandated trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem with Mary “great … 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
Prayer of the Disappointed
“Lord, help me to appreciate today’s blessings, both new and old. Help me to not be so surprised and so … More
Loving Grandpa
One of my favorite 7th grade essays ever is this memoir about a grandfather. Ashley Aucker, is now a 25 … More
Hard Times
Life has a way of kicking you down, then kicking you when you are down. It’s happened to me more … More
Middle School: Top Ten Things to Know
The following is an open letter from my boss, Steve Hall, Head of Middle School at Westminster Christian Academy, to … More
I Wish You Failure
Once again, I offer an article from NPR’s This I Believe. Jon Carroll started at the San Francisco Chronicle editing … More
Powerful Blessings
There are countless ways that an adult can bless a young person. In Trent & Smalley’s book, The Blessing: Giving … More
Good Sports
Football is just a sport. However, it is a platform for parents and coaches to teach some of life’s most … More
Family Matters
Imagine two American families, living on the same street, both successful in pursuing the American dream. Their Christmas cards are … More
Questions Kids Have But Don’t Ask
Here are some of the big questions kids (10-14) have, although they will rarely, if ever, vocalize them. Understanding the … More
The Value of Pain
As I walk through the halls after school, there is a barrage of faces along my path. Some I know … More
Failure’s Top Ten List
1. Not Everybody Gets A Trophy Somewhere along the line we became a society that preached instant gratification. Like a … More
Growing Up Well 