Do we love our kids unconditionally?
I don't always show it. I'm sure you're like me, there's nothing they can do to make us stop loving them, but do THEY know that? I'm embarrassed to say that because of my desire to control things and people [...]
It’s like it’s divide and conquer all the time
Deep down, our kids really want us parents to be in love and on the same page. But, they’re also little sinners and they want their own way. So, sometimes they’ll pit Mom against Dad saying things like, “But Mom [...]
Parents, we need to have some guts!
One of the saddest parenting stories in the Bible is that of the Priest Eli. His two sons were off the chart greedy and immoral. All Eli did was talk to them. So, God judged Eli and his family for not [...]
I struggle with my four-year-old.
Many have struggled with four-year-olds. Especially strong-willed ones. “I’m Mike Donehey from Tenth Avenue North. My four-year-old is a very persistent, independent, and fiery spirit. I’m always tempted to squash her spirit. ‘Just obey me,’ instead of being patient with [...]
I wish my son was a little like Tucker.
We didn’t just compare our kid to his friend, did we? Seriously? How many times have we pointed out young people in the youth group, neighbors, or even siblings, saying things like, “If you want to model your life after [...]
My little kids are afraid of disabled kids.
Sometimes kids are afraid of other kids who are maybe a bit different than they are. That doesn’t mean we should allow them to continue to ignore them. It means that we need to help our kids not just get [...]
“Up North” is my favorite place. Yours?
“Up North.” It really is a place. In Michigan, it’s anywhere NORTH of where you live—usually somewhere in a wooded area or a lake. For me, “Up North” was the family cottage that my grandparents built in 1955 along the [...]
How do I teach my kids to be responsible at school?
That’s a GREAT question. Our kids are so different. Some kids come out of the womb responsible. Others need a little training. Others have to have their hands held all through school. Here’s what we did. We held their hand [...]
“Trick or treat!” Are you participating?
Tomorrow’s Halloween. Don’t freak out. “The word "Halloween" literally means the evening before All Hallows Day or All Saint’s Day, celebrated on November 1.” It goes back 1900 years—when the Celtic druids celebrated it as their new year—where the dead [...]
My daughter’s friend is Muslim.
BetsyJo writes, “My daughter’s best friend is being raised in a Muslim family. My daughter is sad because her friend doesn't believe in Jesus. Any advice on what to do?” Our schools today are multicultural. As more and more people [...]