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Happily Never After
“But childhood prolonged, cannot remain a fairyland. It becomes a hell.” (Louise Bogan) Our children come to us as the most helpless of all species, and at first, they depend on us completely for support and sustenance. But they grow, and so should their world. The problem comes when we try to protect them and […]
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Where the Rubber Meets the Road
“Your children will see what you’re all about by what you live rather than what you say.” (Dr. Wayne Dyer) Integrity occurs when your actions match your beliefs, and although that is a difficult path to be on, it is definitely worth it. Kids are watching your every move, like it or not. They pick […]
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Don’t Miss the Wonder Years
“Parents are often so busy with the physical rearing of children that they miss the glory of parenthood, just as the grandeur of the trees is lost when raking leaves.” (Marcelene Cox) When did all of the “haftas” of family life take over the reason we had kids in the first place? I remember staring […]
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Kids and Chores
“It is amazing how quickly the kids learn to drive a car, yet are unable to understand the lawnmower, snow-blower, or vacuum cleaner.” (Ben Bergor) Can I get an Amen? Isn’t it amazing that kids can create power point presentations about their Christmas lists and figure out how to fix your ipod without even blinking, […]
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Come, Sail Away
“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning to sail my own ship.” (Louisa May Alcott) Storms happen. That’s just the way life works. You don’t work on yourself to become ScreamFree so that your life can be free of struggle. That kind of life just doesn’t exist. You work hard on yourself […]
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Being your Child’s Maid
“Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.” (Phyllis Diller) Model homes are beautiful, but sterile. There’s no personality there. There’s just no way the job gets done. until you stop having troops march their way through your kitchen every day. Trying to make your […]
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We’ve Found These Truths to Be Self-Evident
“Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.” (Thomas Jefferson) Not only did Jefferson give us the Declaration of Independence and the Louisiana Purchase, but he gave us a model of leadership that we would all benefit from adopting. Deep down, we all know […]
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Funny Parenting
“I think the next best thing to solving a problem is finding some humor in it.” (Frank A. Clark) In parenting, a good sense of humor is a must. There are going to be times when all you really can do is laugh. There’s a scene in the movie Parenthood that comes to mind. Steve […]
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What Dreams May Come
“We know what we are, but not what we may be.” (William Shakespeare) This line is worth looking at from two different angles. First, from our own: Just because you came from a family of screamers, doesn’t mean that you are destined to become one yourself. Just because you struggle now with confidence in your […]
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No pain, no gain
“Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body.” (Seneca) Muscles grow when they are forced to work. We know that fact, as evidenced by the number of gym memberships in this country. The same principle holds true for our minds and the minds of our children. By shielding your child from difficulty, whether it […]