The Need for Early Guidance A few kids know from a very early age what they want to pursue as … More
Tag: Parenting
Social Development and Kids’ Activities
Social life. Social skills. Social anxiety. Social media. Social Security. She’s so social! When we think of the “social development” … 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
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
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
Parenting Digital Kids
Life Beyond the Screens If you ask most teens what item is their most prized, important possession, they will say … 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
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
Growing Up Too Fast
Our culture tends to throw kids in the deep-end of the pool without teaching them how to swim. Kids are … More
Parenting With and Without Fear
Fear is universal. Columnist Dave Barry writes, “All of us are born with a set of instinctive fears — of … More
The Blessing
Most parents deeply love their children but do not express their love in the most effective ways. For many children, … More
The Power of No (Part 3)
Young teenagers often “cross the line.” It’s inevitable, so it should not surprise us. Yet, we should not just acquiesce … More
The Power of No (Part 1)
Anthony Bourdain, is an American chef, author, and television personality. He is well-known as the host of the Travel Channel‘s … More
The Race to Nowhere
The Race to Nowhere is a film that will make you think deeply about what a good education looks like. … More
Never Too Young for Compassion
Sometimes, a single, simple act of compassion can change the world for someone else. As a middle school teacher, I … More
Family Matters
Imagine two American families, living on the same street, both successful in pursuing the American dream. Their Christmas cards are … 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
Creating Consumers or Citizens?
This article, “Reversing the Consumer Mindset” is well-worth reading. More importantly, as a parent or grandparent, it is worth reflecting … More
The Wrong Kind of Pain
Generally speaking, children who face difficulties will grow up stronger in the long run. They earn a host of other … 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
Raising the Perfect Parent
Always Kiss Me Good Night: Instructions on Raising the Perfect Parent (compiled by J.S. Salt) is the best advice that … 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
Prepare Them for Life
Protection and provision are not enough. “Here’s the paradox: If we protect our children too absolutely, we actually end up … More
Video Games
I grew up with the Atari 2600 video game system. It was the cultural phenomenon of 1978, right along with … More
Avoiding a Mid-Life Crisis
If you are growing old well, then you are likely to help a child grow up well. 40 is not … More
Father or Friend?
Father’s Day. We give Dad something like a pocket knife or a round of golf. We remind him that we … More
Growing Up Well 