Where Violent Conflict Begins

Violence and rage occur as a reaction to our fear, hurt, shame, loneliness or some combination of the four, and…When we are violent or rageful, it is not because of something the other person does, but because of something we do not do. (John & Linda Friel) In this week’s Daily Pauses, we’ve examined some […]

The Relationships We Crave Most

Yesterday we talked about the terror some of us feel in our own homes. Scared of feeling rejected, ignored, dismissed, or unheard by the people who matter most, we reactively retreat to passivity and self-protection.

Thoughtful Wishing

What do you want today?

A perfectly obedient toddler? Your boss to call in sick? A cool breeze on a hot day by the pool? A stiff drink? An actual chore done by your teen? Sex with your spouse?

Teens and Tech, Part 1

In our plea for your questions last week, a large majority of you asked about teens and technology. There’s room for a whole book on that topic (and I may be writing one), but for now consider this:

Are you friends with your kids?

There’s a very common parenting axiom thrown around these days. In an effort to reverse the trend towards over-involvement in our kids’lives, we parents will proudly proclaim that “Kids need us to be their parents, not their friends.”

Is your child a wanderer?

I drove my daughter’s car yesterday, taking it to the auto parts store to get something fixed. Of course, I had to adjust the seat, the side mirrors, and for God’s sake, the radio. The biggest adjustment, however, was the rear view mirror. Like many female college students, my daughter has a large decorative concoction dangling from the mirror, like a chandelier of feathers, jewelry, and hair scrunchies. This was quite the distraction.

AMA: Parenting Under Pressure

Ever wanted to yell, “Don’t make me turn this car around”? Driving in the Car with Kids… Hal’s “Ask Me Anything” question of the week!

AMA: Parenting Under Pressure

Ever wanted to yell, “Don’t make me turn this car around”? Driving in the Car with Kids… Hal’s “Ask Me Anything” question of the week!

Walking Your Path

Pardon me if I’m repeating myself (my family has gotten used to it), but I need to speak up about a lie we all believe: If we just knew better, we’d do better.

Hard Truths, Soft Tones

“A torn jacket is soon mended; but hard words bruise the heart of a child.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow It doesn’t take hard words to teach our children right from wrong. Unfortunately, however, we sometimes equate being firm with our kids’ consequences with being harsh on them personally. The next time you have an interaction […]