A New World Order for Young Teens 7th and 8th grade is when the social life of a child amps … More
Tag: Communication
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
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
Managing Social Media (Part 2)
Dealing With Annoying Social Media Posts (Part 2)After writing my last post on how to respond to all those annoying … More
Five Ways to Manage Your Social Media
Social media, like just about everything, can be a blessing or a curse. It’s usually both. It’s a #lovehaterelationship, right? … More
Look Up
Perhaps this video is a bit of an overstatement. It oversimplifies the problem, but I like the main theme. Train … 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
Speak Your Kids Up
Here is a sneak peak at the book I am writing about parenting: Kids need to see and hear their … More
Weak Language
We often chastise young people for using “strong language,” but there is an equal or greater problem with kids, … 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
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
Stop, Look, Listen
Our kids, no matter the age, need us to be with them, explaining what makes one thing beautiful and another … 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
How to Negotiate with Children
In a recent panel discussion about parenting on National Public Radio, “When No Means No” (11 minutes of audio), some … More
Life in the Shallows vs. Life at Sea
In the area of technology and society, nobody is an expert because we just don’t know what the long-term effects … More
Questions to Ask Kids
Kids want to be known, and not just by their parents (their #1 source of value). They want their teachers, … 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
Texting vs. Talking
There is no doubt that text messaging can be, in the right situations, the most efficient, convenient form of communication … More
Too Much Internet, Too Soon
What was the most popular Christmas gift this year for 5th graders? The Apple iPod iTouch. What is the most … More
Social Skills Needed: Apply Here
There is a social epidemic that has swept the nation. While it used to be contained to young teenage girls, … More
Just Believe in Yourself
“Just believe in yourself, and you can achieve anything.” “Pursue your dream, and don’t let anyone tell you that you … More
Well-Mannered Teen Rebels
With the decline of civility and manners in public life, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that so many young people lack … More
Facebook Kids
The most common questions that parents have today are all related to Facebook, since every student wants full access and … More
Teenage Media Addiction
Children of the Screen As much as I like FaceBook and text messaging, I know that it needs to be … More
Training Up Independent Kids
Embracing Mistakes; Developing Problem-Solvers Thomas Edison believed that failure was not a bad thing; it merely directed him closer to … More
The Power of Choice
Children lack power. They can control very little in their lives, until they get a license to drive and the … More
Discipline vs. Punishment
Heart-to-Heart Connection A long time ago, in a land far away, I was the principal of a small elementary school. … More
Heart-to-Heart Connection
Parenting, teaching, and coaching are mutual pursuits. At this stage in my life, I am involved in all three, and … More
Role Models
Charles Barkley, the great basketball player and television personality, once said at the height of his NBA career, “I’m not … More
Growing Up Well 