Archives

Could your kids survive on American Idol?

I’m not talking about having enough talent… I’m talking about being able to handle the criticism.  Those judges can be pretty harsh.  One night they’r… read more

What’s so great about independence?

It seems like everything we hear today links strength with independence….it’s the American way, right?  Well, independence is great if you’re talking … read more

Have you told your kids not to talk to strangers?

Well, actually the concept of “stranger” can be confusing to children, so instead, teach them to recognize unsafe situations. Warn against adults who … read more

Is your child near-sighted?

The other day, my son tried on my reading glasses.  “Wow!” he said, “I can see really good up close, but far away—it’s blurry.”  That made me think . … read more

How can you keep things from heating up with an old flame?

Well, for a flame to exist, you have to have fuel.  You know those old pictures you have tucked away…the love letters you’ve saved…the texts you excha… read more

What are your kids listening to?

Recently, I asked my son for his iPod so I could check out the songs he was listening to.  I Googled the lyrics for the songs, and most were just fine… read more

Are you spending one-on-one time with your kids?

It’s great to do things as a family, but children love it when they get mom or dad all to themselves. So carve out a little time with each of your kid… read more

Do you have big plans for Mother’s Day?

Maybe you’re buying your wife some flowers or you’re taking her out for a nice lunch. Well all that is wonderful but be sure to help your children hon… read more

Is your spouse consumed with their body image?

Body image is how you picture yourself based on what you see in the mirror and by the reactions that you see from other people.  Negative feelings abo… read more

Are you busy this weekend?

Chances are you answered, “Yes.”  According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, observing a day of rest, or Sabbath, has become a lost art.  Back … read more

What are the odds that your child cheats?

My kids have said to me, “Dad, everybody cheats at school!”  Well, it may not be everybody, but a recent survey says three out of four high school stu… read more

“What can I do to prevent an affair?”

I’ve been hearing that question more and more lately.  People who’ve had affairs often say that they had some unfulfilled need that slowly began to be… read more

What have my teens taught me?

My kids have taught me a lot of things…and I can tell you, it’s a very humbling experience.  One thing that they’ve shown me over and over again is my… read more

What is your “call of duty?”

I was playing the simulated military game, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 with my teenage son…and I’m really bad at it.  The mission is to kill the ba… read more

Want the truth about marriage?

Marriage is really hard….and takes a lot of work.  Even after all that hard work, I still mess up.  I mean, I want an awesome marriage, but I still DO… read more

Dads, what will you see at the end of your journey?

Dads, what will you see at the end of your journey? I’m Mark Merrill with today’s Family Minute. When all is said and done and you look back on the tr… read more

Who or what are you living for?

Who or what are you living for?  I’m Mark Merrill with today’s Family Minute. Just as the earth revolves around the sun and keeps a constant orbit as … read more

What is your message?

What is your message? I’m Mark Merrill with today’s Family Minute. Our message is what we have to share with others. Know your message. It is often bo… read more

Do you have breach in your fatherhood fuselage?

Do you have breach in your fatherhood fuselage? I’m Mark Merrill with today’s Family Minute.  A number of years ago I became a private pilot. During t… read more

Have you ever seen the Washington Monument?

Have you ever seen the Washington Monument? I’m Mark Merrill with today’s Family Minute. Why was it built?  So that you and I would remember something… read more

Why is it important for a dad to know his motives in raising his kids?

Why is it important for a dad to know his motives in raising his kids?  I’m Mark Merrill with today’s Family Minute.  As a leader in your home, motive… read more

What should be a dad’s mind-set in raising his kids?

What should be a dad’s mind-set in raising his kids? I’m Mark Merrill with today’s Family Minute. The mind-set of many fathers is thinking that their … read more

Do you know the essentials of fatherhood?

Do you know the essentials of fatherhood? I’m Mark Merrill with today’s Family Minute.  In my new book, All Pro Dad, I lay out seven essential M’s eve… read more

Dads, want to be a hero to your kids?

In the NFL, any good coach will tell you it’s not the spectacular highlight-reel type things that make you a Super Bowl winner. It’s knowing and execu… read more

Have you ever heard of a male chauvinist bug?

The male Zeus bug, a tiny water bug common along Australia’s east coast, hitches a ride on the female for up to a week, counting on the female to feed… read more

How can you bring a dying marriage back to life?

You feel like it’s flat lined.  There’s no pulse—not a breath of life remains.  Before you pronounce it dead on arrival, there are four steps to marri… read more

Are you a workaholic?

A University of North Carolina study found that children of workaholics have the same levels of anxiety and depression as children of alcoholics. Scar… read more

What do Tony Dungy and Truett Cathy have in common?

As I share in my new book, All Pro Dad, Tony Dungy, Truett Cathy, and Michael W. Smith are committed fathers. All of them understand that being a dad … read more

Want a tool to teach your kids how to interact with others?

Last night, as I stood at the kitchen sink, my son tried to push me aside, without saying a word.  Well, rather than just correct him, my wife and I d… read more

What is your bottom line this tax season?

Several years ago Money magazine performed a tax season experiment. Forty-five tax professionals participated in preparing the magazine's tax return. … read more

Does your marriage need a cease fire?

During the Civil War, more than half of the skirmishes took place in Virginia and each battle was just a continuation of the previous fight. Same reas… read more

Dads, are you ready for an incredible journey?

During my twenty-two year quest of being a dad, I’ve experienced the joy of standing on mountaintops and the pain of crawling through valleys. Fatherh… read more

Do you know the power of silence?

Sometimes we think that repeating ourselves over and over again in an angry, raised voice is the only way to get our children to obey.  I’m definitely… read more

Want better communication in your marriage?

Author Pat Morley suggests that we stop, look, and listen when our spouse wants to talk.  First, stop what you’re doing.  Put down your cell phone, tu… read more

"Please don't take me for granted..."

Feel like all you do is clean the house, wash the clothes, pick up after others, and provide taxi service for the kids... and no one notices? Or, mayb… read more

Want to hit a grand slam with your kids?

The temperature…a little warmer, the grass…a little greener. The crack of the bat is in the air.  It’s that time of year again – tomorrow is Opening D… read more

What are you planting this spring?

If you plant tomato seeds, you’ll get tomatoes, right? If you plant cucumber seeds, you’ll get cucumbers. You reap what you sow.  In the same way, the… read more

What happened tomorrow that drives families today?

Charles and Frank Duryea were the first to sell an automobile on March 31st, 1896 in the town of Springfield, Massachusetts.  When the first cars took… read more

Why do we need clear boundaries for our kids?

Imagine…no rules, no boundaries on the basketball court.  Players can run wherever they want…and there’s never a foul.  Well, you get the picture…it w… read more

Have you tried on your stepchildren’s shoes?

To understand how to relate to your stepchild you need to put yourself in their shoes.  How would you feel if your parents had split up?  How would yo… read more

Is Your Child the Next Mozart?

Before he was THE Mozart, Wolfgang was just a normal kid.  He had good days and bad days, he played jokes on his friends and he got into trouble.  Wha… read more

Would you trade places wtih someone in your family for a day?

In the hit television show, Undercover Boss, CEOs trade places with their employees.  These unknowing employees train the disguised boss in a variety … read more

Do You have the power to forgive?

Hannah is a beautiful and talented 19- year-old girl who discovers that she is adopted.  But the reason behind Hannah’s adoption is extraordinary.  In… read more

Do you believe all children are created equal?

Playing favorites with your children is a dangerous game. Preferring one child over another can destroy family unity… and cause lasting emotional dama… read more

What do Beethoven and bitterness have in common?

After suffering poor health for decades, composer Ludwig van Beethoven died in 1827 from lead poisoning. It was a slow and painful death. Bitterness i… read more

How can Angry Birds help your marriage?

This popular game shows the life-long struggle of birds trying to get back their stolen eggs from some pigs.  The birds defend each other and unite to… read more

What are the best tools for spring cleaning?

A pen and paper.  I know what you’re thinking, “Doesn’t he mean a mop and broom?”  Nope, you heard right.  I want you to take ten or fifteen minutes a… read more

Do you know the three key moments of daily parenting?

Experts say that those key parenting times are when your child leaves for school, gets home from school, and when they go to bed. It might seem like a… read more

How can disconnecting help you connect?

According to the Nielsen Company, Americans watch an average of five hours of television each day. If that’s too much screen time for your family, con… read more

How will your college student celebrate spring break?

Spring break is often associated with binge drinking. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that binge drinking accounts for … read more