The trends are not looking good for the mental and emotional health of young people, across all demographics. For instance, … More
Tag: Kids
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
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
Your Family. Your Culture.
The most common theme among parents of young teens lately is that they want to live differently than the culture. … 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
Advice for Middle School Kids
Recently, I asked my Facebook friends to give me advice for my 7th graders. Here’s what my friends have learned … More
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
Ordinary Parenting
Parenting is messy. It’s often a blender full of emotions, tasks, and conflicts. That why we so often feel pureed … 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
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
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
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
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
Parenting Digital Kids
Life Beyond the Screens If you ask most teens what item is their most prized, important possession, they will say … 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
You win some; you lose some
Life is unfair – extraordinarily unfair. Sometimes the good guys lose, while the bad guys revel in their victory. Sometimes, … More
Growing Up Well 