Reducing Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. Every human … More

Raising Countercultural Kids in the United States of Addiction (Part 3 of 3)

The trends are not looking good for the mental and emotional health of young people, across all demographics. For instance, … More

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

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

Taking Control of Your Digital Life

Part 3 in the series on becoming “tech-wise” The first two posts in this series laid down a philosophical framework … More

Why Technology Worries Us So Much

Since 2010, human behavior has changed. In these last 7 years, we have experienced the complete integration of smartphones, the … More

The Social Combat of Being 13

A New World Order for Young Teens 7th and 8th grade is when the social life of a child amps … 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

Connect + Guide + Enjoy = Good Parenting

You are never done parenting. There is never enough time, energy, money, or wisdom to do it all right. Parenting … 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

Fun = Connection

Have Fun with Your Child ASAP Good parenting has an order of operations. Insides come first. A child should feel … More

The Connected Family

2014 is the first year in American history in which everybody has a mobile device. We are at the saturation … 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

Embracing Parenting

Here is a sample from my latest project. It’s a chapter from my not-even-close-to-being-finished book. Feel free to give me … More

From the Mouths of Babes

This from a 6th grade teacher who I respect a great deal: I teach a class titled Emerging Leaders, and … More

Weak Language

  We often chastise young people for using “strong language,” but there is an equal or greater problem with kids, … More

High-Tech Tools in Schools

Too Much Tech at School? Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is a popular trend sweeping schools this year. Schools with … More

Parenting Digital Kids

Life Beyond the Screens If you ask most teens what item is their most prized, important possession, they will say … More