Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. Every human … More
Tag: Resiliency
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
Are Your Kids Resilient?
Bouncing Back: Increasing Resilience for Hurting Kids This is an excerpt from an article by Maria Drews on August 3, … 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