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

Living on 1 Dollar Per Day

Young people in America need to know more about real poverty, and this video is possibly the best I have … 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

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

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

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

Families Should Be Tough

My wife is kind and compassionate, but she is one of the toughest people I have ever known. She does … 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

Living in Crisis

Our family is in crisis. It’s not the first time, and it won’t be the last. Three weeks ago, … More

Ten Ways to Help Someone in Personal Crisis

Our family has been going through rough waters related to some serious medical issues, and we have only been making … More

Storm Preparation

A Creeping Crisis Some crises develop gradually. Some are excruciatingly slow. Perhaps it is the approaching death of a parent … More

Loving Grandpa

One of my favorite 7th grade essays ever is this memoir about a grandfather. Ashley Aucker, is now a 25 … 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

Same Lake, Different Boat

When you are a parent of a child with severe disabilities, you have to accept the fact that your life … More

I Wish You Failure

Once again, I offer an article from NPR’s This I Believe. Jon Carroll started at the San Francisco Chronicle editing … More

Books for Boys

Finding a well-written, entertaining book for a boy who hates to read is always a challenge. Woods Runner, by … More

Thanksgiving Child

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

Questions Kids Have But Don’t Ask

Here are some of the big questions kids (10-14) have, although they will rarely, if ever, vocalize them. Understanding the … 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

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

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

Realistic Expectations for Life

Donald Miller’s book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years is quite good, but the end of chapter 29 is … 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

Being a Good Loser in Youth Sports

After a weekend out of town at my son’s soccer tournament, I’m a little tired of hearing, “Did you win?” … More