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When Not to Laugh
Children, like adults, long to be taken seriously. Hopes, dreams, fears, and hurts are every bit as real to kids as they are to us. Whether it’s a toddler who is afraid of the dark or a teen who has just had her heart broken, we can…
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It’s really hard to listen…
Most famous writers have this in common: they are insatiably curious about the world around them and what makes people tick. When asked about their craft and how they find the amazing stories…
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The Wonder Years
Our son Brandon is graduating high school in a few months, and Jenny and I have been doing a little reminiscing, selecting photos for his high school and church celebrations. It’s brought laughter, more than a few tears, and…
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Ducking Conflict
Humans are emotional beings, and our emotions can be terrific assets in the right context. Remaining calm in the midst of conflict, therefore, can be unnerving…
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Your Kids are not Kings
Our three-year-olds aren’t clad in togas and wreaths of gold leaves. They don’t sit on an enormous throne with a royal scepter in their hands.
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The time between all or nothing
As in all areas of life, there are two extremes to following a routine: All, or nothing. Most people naturally gravitate towards one of…
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Halos & Nooses
When we try so hard to do everything perfectly, perhaps portraying the “model” mom or dad, we might as well think of it as tightening a noose. We are not only choking the life out of our own experiences, but we’re unwittingly…
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Thank you all…
One of the reasons I love public speaking so much is the opportunity to see in real time the effect…
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You don’t have to like your kids
“Learning to dislike children at an early age saves a lot of expense and aggravation later in life.” (Robert Byrne) The quote above is obviously sarcastic, but sarcasm is funny because it hints at the truth—sometimes it’s almost impossible to like our kids. We always love them, but that doesn’t me we always like […]
