When our older kids are home for the holidays, it’s easy to get excited about having everyone together. But our high expectations can sometimes lead to disappointments if not managed well. So, here are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, realize that your older kids are getting more accustomed to managing their life. So give them some space, avoid instruction and just enjoy being with them. Second, know...

Are you struggling to make your holidays happy in your home?  I’m Mark Merrill with today’s Family Minute. The holidays, like life, are all about relationships. And relationship mistakes can kill the holiday mood. So don’t let the good things take your focus off the best things. It’s easy to let the fun, creative, and well-intended trappings of the season cause you to lose your focus on your...

So-called work-life balance is a myth. People search for it, but never find it.  So stop worrying about achieving that balance and start striving to be present. Think about these three Ps that will help you to be more focused on being present for your family.  First, prioritize. When you step back and look at how you spend your time, you’ll realize that some things like your favorite television show just aren’t as...

Part of being a great dad…an All Pro Dad, means using words that encourage your kids.  It means taking every opportunity you get to make your child feel special and loved by you.  So here are some things you should say to your kids every day.  First say, “I love you.”  Love is the foundation for building a strong relationship with your kids.  And since you can never say it too often, tell your kids you love...

Everyone needs affirmation, encouragement, and compliments…your children do too. And the best person to give them that boost they need is YOU: their parent. So to help get you started, here are some compliments your kids need to hear.  First, compliment their character.  When your child demonstrates honesty, integrity, or kindness, take them aside and offer a sincere compliment.  Second, compliment their...

In the wild, prodding a porcupine with a stick or by yelling doesn’t work very well…it just makes the porcupine more angry. You risk being on the receiving end of some sharp, painful quills. It’s the same way in our relationships. If you prod a porcupine spouse, teen, or in-law, with your words, things usually don’t go to well. Saying things like “What’s your problem?” just makes them even more mad.  There are...

Porcupines have trigger points that cause the sharp quills on its back to raise up. When it’s threatened or irritated, it can get really mean and shoot those quills into someone or something and cause a lot of pain. Well, I’ve got certain trigger points that cause me to get cranky and prickly. One of mine is unmet expectations. When I have crazy high expectations for others, and those expectations are not met, I...