It’s not just the decisions themselves that impact your family; it’s also how you go about making them. Healthy decisions tend to be the ones that are made using a healthy process. Be committed to the principle that no big decision should be made without the full input and consideration of your spouse. Decisions made without a spouse’s input communicate, “I don’t value or need your opinion and perspective…I got...

When it comes to discipline, parents so often equate firmness with harshness. But the two are completely different. Firmness says that a boundary is secure and won’t be crossed without a consequence. But harshness uses angry words and intimidation to intentionally scare a child into submission.  So how can you discipline firmly without being harsh? First, show less emotion.  This will help your child focus on...

My wife, Susan, and I believe it’s important for us to invest in the relationship with any young ladies our sons are dating. Here are some ideas to help get you started. First, have her over for dinner. Time around the table is a great relationship builder. Second, have a game night with her and your son. Ask her what her most, or least, favorite games are to play and you’ll learn a lot about her. Games reveal a...

Growing up is a challenge. And one of the biggest factors that can add to a difficult childhood is bullying. Bullying is a hardship that must not be dismissed as either expected or unimportant. That’s why it’s critical that you understand the signs of bullying. One sign your child might be getting bullied is if they begin faking an illness in the morning. It may be their way of trying to avoid school and bullies....

But in the midst of the journey, you constantly face demands, dangers, and disappointments. But there’s one person you should always be able to count on—your spouse! So here are 3 ways to be a good teammate to your spouse. First, be committed to staying together—no matter what. Second, be sensitive and considerate to your spouse during seasons of transition. Finally, don’t let difficult times pull you away from...

My wife, Susan, and I are advocates for interviewing your daughter’s date, but we also see the importance of building a relationship with your son’s dates too. There are several reasons. First, you are showing the girl that your family cares about each other. While it might seem intimidating, she should understand that family comes first. If she’s the right “dating material,” she’ll appreciate that.  If she...

So you’re getting into a small disagreements with your spouse…no big deal, so you just shake it off…hoping that they’ll go away. But maybe those little spats are simply signs of bigger issues. So what are some signs that your marriage is becoming unhealthy? The first sign is when you’re keeping secrets and hiding things from your spouse…when there’s a lack of trust in your relationship. The second sign of an...