One of the best things you can do as a parent is to strive to live a model life that is worthy for your child to follow. Here are 5 ways parents can be a role model for kids. First, model consistency.  Your child needs to see that you are the same person no matter who you are with. Second, model control over words. Words matter. Make sure the words that come out of your mouth toward your spouse, your child, and...

  The light turns green. . . you start to cross the intersection. . .you’re blindsided. . . you suffer serious injury. . .and your world changes in a moment.  Physical pain.  Emotional pain.  No one is immune.  But, it’s what you do with the pain that matters.   Will it be a stumbling block or just a hurdle?  The Paralympic Games begin today in London.  These athletes embraced their pain and let it guide them to...

Just as a wrecking ball will eventually bring down a building, some habits will eventually wreck your marriage.  You keep score. . . keep secrets. . . or keep talking - without listening.  So what can you do to repair the damage and reinforce the relationship?  Commit to replacing your old habits with new ones –  help your spouse without expecting anything in return,  be open with your spouse about everything, and...

In a report from the National Survey of Families and Households, over 1,000 married adults said they were "unhappily married.”  Five years later, the same people were interviewed again. Nearly 80% of the couples who decided to stick it out and stay together considered themselves "happily married" and "much happier.”  Of the couples who got divorced, only 19% reported being happy. The moral of the story? If you’re...

You’ve seen them in the stores, at Little League, or at ballet class.  Spoiled kids acting out...as their parents just stand there.  Here are some ways you might be spoiling your kids.  First, you do everything for them.  Instead, take time to teach them how to do the task themselves.  And let them know there will be consequences if they don’t follow through.  Second, your kids boss you around and talk...

Getting the kids situated in a new school year can be all-consuming.  There are new schedules, new activities and new challenges.  Just dealing with all of the newness can wear you out.  Well, in the middle of the madness it’s easy to push aside spending time with your spouse.  So, even though it will take some planning, try to schedule a date night, just the two of you, at least once every couple of weeks.  Or,...

If they are, remember your position.  You’re there to be an encourager, not to be overbearing.  No child wants to be embarrassed by a parent who’s screaming and yelling uncontrollably.  I was coaching my son’s baseball game a few years ago and I got frustrated with the umpire’s calls.  So, what did I do? I got mad…threw my hat on the ground and walked off the field. Youth sports can bring out the best…or the worst...