Maybe your son is passionate about art. Maybe your daughter is passionate about animals. No matter what it may be, every child is uniquely wired to be passionate about something. And, as parents, it’s up to us to help spark our child’s curiosity. To do so, there are certain things you should do with your children every year. First, take them to a science museum where they can experiment and learn. Second, take...

Every family has relationships and relatives that are difficult. Here are some tips on how to handle these guests in your home. Maybe you have a “Judgmental Judy.” Judy is the relative that is always telling everyone what someone else is doing wrong, usually behind their backs. Be ready to gently remind Judy that you're not going to listen to constant judgments about others. Or, maybe you’ve got a “Profane Paul.” ...

When our older kids are home for the holidays, it’s easy to get excited about having everyone together. But our high expectations can sometimes lead to disappointments if not managed well. So, here are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, realize that your older kids are getting more accustomed to managing their life. So give them some space, avoid instruction and just enjoy being with them. Second, know...

Are you struggling to make your holidays happy in your home?  I’m Mark Merrill with today’s Family Minute. The holidays, like life, are all about relationships. And relationship mistakes can kill the holiday mood. So don’t let the good things take your focus off the best things. It’s easy to let the fun, creative, and well-intended trappings of the season cause you to lose your focus on your...

You see, if I ask them to get me nothing, I may truly get everything for Christmas. Here are three reasons this might be the very best thing I could do for my family this year. First, it gets the focus off of me. When it’s not about me getting something, it helps me to think more about giving something, which is the real spirit of Christmas. Second, it helps focus our family’s attention on what we already have and...

Maybe it’s watching the parade or football game on TV. Maybe it’s playing football or games in the backyard. That special dish you serve every year can be a great tradition as well.  Each family member sharing what they’re thankful for as you gather around the dinner table can be a very meaningful tradition.  Your tradition might even include inviting a family that’s less fortunate.  Think about it. What tradition...

It’s been said that “The eyes are useless when the mind is blind.” If that is true, I think I’ve approached a lot of Thanksgivings with a dim view of my many real blessings. I don’t always have the awe and wonder that I should. I should be in awe of the simple amazing blessings in my life. I should be really thankful for the simple things we take for granted like running water, climate-controlled homes, a...