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

Powerful Blessings

There are countless ways that an adult can bless a young person. In Trent & Smalley’s book, The Blessing: Giving … More

I Believe in Encouragement

By Lauren Baum, in her senior English class at Westminster Christian Academy, St. Louis (Class of 2011). Without any hesitation, … 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

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

Thanksgiving Child

Kathryn was born on Thanksgiving weekend 11 years ago on an unforgettable day. Due to the trauma of her birth, … 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

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

Fandango: How boys make friends

fandango |fanˈda ng gō| noun 1. a lively Spanish dance. 2. a foolish or useless act or thing. In May … 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

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

Lousy Starts and Strong Finishes

I’m grading papers on the second to last day of the school year. I’m grading fast, trying to finish ASAP, … More

Healthy Adults, Healthy Kids

Being healthy as an adult will yield both direct and indirect benefits for the kids in your care. Take care … More

Loyalty and Love Personified

John Wooden, the most-successful and most-revered basketball coach of all time, is a role model for so many men — … More

Finding Significance

I’ve had the blues for a few weeks now. It’s not a full-blown depression. It’s just a nagging funk that … More

It’s a Wonderfully Difficult Life

It’s a Wonderful Life strikes a chord — several chords — deep in my soul, every time I watch … More

Kids Need Community

“No man is an island,” said John Donne, in reference to the ripple effect of the death of one man … 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

The Empty Nest

My children are just entering adolescence, so it surprised me that I had such a visceral reaction to this article … 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

Embracing Interruption

Today was the first day of the school year, the day when the hallways of our middle school are jam-packed … 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