Recently, my wife Susan, shared with me that, at a basic level, you’re a good mom if your child knows you love them.  Simple gestures from your kids reveal whether they know you love them.  So here are some actions to look for in your children that will help you know you are being a good mom.  First, you know you’re being a good mom when your child shares their fears and dreams with you.  Second, when your older...

As bedtime approaches, your kids obediently put on their pajamas, they only ask for one sip of water, and then they quietly listen to you read the perfect bedtime story.  Right?  Wrong!  Putting the kids to bed may be more like a wrestling match —wrestling with a child who always needs to get up to go to the bathroom just one more time.  With all the frustrations that come with bedtime, how can parents keep their...

We all know that boys are very different from girls.  Generally speaking, boys are rougher, louder, and less attentive.  So how can you raise your boy to be a responsible man?  Here are 7 principles for raising sons well.  First, channel their energy.  Rather than try to get rid of your son’s energy, channel it into something productive like sports, arts, or other activities with friends.  Second, protect their...

Life Hacks are simple ideas that make life easier.  And if there’s anyone who needs a good life hack, it’s moms.  Moms are the ones who keep families going with their encouragement, support, love, and selflessness.  So here are some 7 ways to deal with stress for moms.  First, we have a Conversation Life Hack.  This gives moms simple conversation starters to stay involved in their kids’ lives.  Second, check out...

It’s all too easy for parenting to feel like a project, rather than a relationship. So how can you recapture the joy of motherhood? Here are 3 simple ways. First, stop comparing your child to other children. Instead, learn to appreciate them as a unique creation with their own strengths. Second, give yourself permission to be imperfect. Get rid of the impossible expectations you’ve set and find comfort in simply...

Society has standards for what fatherhood should look like. But each father has unique strengths that make for unique parenting. So here are 3 ways dads can color outside the lines. First, consider whose lines you’re trying to color in. Ask yourself, “Am I making decisions to impress others? Or am I making decisions that are best for my family?” Second, determine what success looks like for your family. Make a...

Let’s face it: We all live busy, busy lives. But sometimes, it can be too much…too fast. So here are 4 ways to simplify your life. First, shed some stuff. The less cluttered your environment feels, the less cluttered you will feel. Second, learn to say, “No.” A great way to protect yourself and guard against over commitment is by setting limits. Third, purposefully unplug your technology. This means cutting down...