Some children seem to have the knack of making friends easily, while others struggle. If your child is one who has a hard time making friends, there are 4 things you can encourage them to do. First, smile so people will know you're friendly. Second, compliment your new friend so they know you like them. Third, ask questions to get to know your friend better. Fourth, invite your friend to our house to play. ...

This week we are featuring the 5 most popular Family Minutes from 2010. Today is Number 1...You start by sharing your problems with them; they share their problems with you. Then the friendship deepens. You start giving each other mutual support and encouragement — especially about your unmet needs. That encouragement becomes an attraction . . . like a powerful magnet. Then, before you know it, you may even...

Does it sound something like this? "What do you want to do tonight?" "I don't know, what do you want to do?" "I don't know… is there anything at the movies?" Then you find yourself sitting in a dark theater, not talking to each other, watching a movie you really didn't want to see anyway. Instead, do something different. Go for an evening picnic at the beach or lake. Play tennis. Go bowling. Check out your...

It's the gift of L.O.V.E. L stands for listen… pay full attention when your partner talks. Stop what you're doing and don't interrupt. O is for observe... make getting to know their likes and dislikes a priority. V is for value… value them for who they are…what makes them unique. And E is for encourage…build them up with your words and actions. Four little letters that spell out lessons in love. It's the...

The teen years can bring some tough emotional struggles. Most kids want to be popular and well-liked. If that doesn't happen, they can turn inward and withdraw into depression, or they can vent outward and do harm to themselves or others. What can you do? Well, the Journal of Youth and Adolescence says that religious worship significantly reduces depression among teenagers. It gets kids connected to something...

Just remember the four Cs. First, check your emotions. Before you speak to your teen, make sure you're in a state of mind that's calm rather than emotional. Second, be confident that what you are saying is in their best interest, not just yours. Third, be clear in what you tell them, ask them to do, or not do… don't beat around the bush. Fourth, be concise in what you say. Don't repeat yourself over and over...

Here's what I mean. When we get married it seems like the niceties of dating go out the window. She stops shaving her legs every night and he stops covering his mouth when he belches – the whole neighborhood can hear him. Sure, it's great to be comfortable with our spouse, but we still need to work at keeping the magic alive. So as you're going through your daily routine, think back to the nice things you used...