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’re singing your praises, the next, they’re tearing you to shreds.  Well, in most things our kids do, they have to be prepared for criticism.  Hopefully, the person giving the critique will offer it kindly.  Even if they don’t, we need to teach our children how to...

Several years ago Money magazine performed a tax season experiment. Forty-five tax professionals participated in preparing the magazine's tax return. The result? Forty-five different bottom-lines. That’s hard to believe.  Now think about all the “professionals” out there who might give you many different bottom lines on how to be a better parent. But all should agree on these three things that your kids need from...

Do you find yourself constantly telling them to brush their teeth, make their bed or pick out their clothes for the next day? If you want to encourage responsibility in your child, consider posting a chart of their daily routines in their room. List your child’s name and their responsibilities for the day, then let them check off their completed tasks. You may even reward your child with a special treat if they...

Honor them!  Whether you’re 5 or 50, you should honor your mother and father.  How?  To help you get started, here are 4 things to do to honor your parents. First, pick up the phone tonight and tell them that you are thankful for the good things they did for you growing up.  Second, realize that it’s never too late to apologize, or forgive.  Third, make it a point to enjoy their company whenever you have the...

It’s the sound of a whining child!  Parents will do almost anything to make it stop.  But yelling or responding harshly to a whining child is one of the worst things you can do.  Instead, try this.    First, ignore it.  If you do, your child will learn that whining doesn’t work.  Second, when your child begins to whine, simply leave the room.  Third, remove the cause of the whining.  Fourth, name it…say something...

With five teenagers, I've learned that one of the most important things I can do when my children are going through a tough time is to ask caring questions, like "You seem very sad, how are you feeling?"… "I can see that you're hurting; what's going on in that heart of yours right now?" Or, I'm hurting because I can see that you're hurting… what's causing your pain?" After you've asked the question, be sure just...

Head Coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Jim Caldwell, shared with me how he wrote many letters to his daughter while she was in college. But she never said anything to him about it. He wondered if she ever even read them.  Then, one day when Jim was visiting her, he saw all of the letters he had written proudly posted on her dorm room bulletin board! Notes are powerful. Write to your kids. Your children may not...