A recent study from my alma mater, the University of Florida, revealed that major childhood stresses—like divorce, exposure to substance abuse, and economic hardship—have an almost immediate negative impact on a child’s health.  So, what can you do? First, protect your child from the stress of divorce. Sometimes divorce is beyond the control of a spouse. However, there are times when couples all too quickly buy...

Most families don't have a plan for dealing with anger. They just continue on, hoping things will get better. When families don't resolve their anger, however, they just keep trying to start over. Trying again is helpful, but we each need to have a bigger plan if we want negative patterns or anger to change. Five Steps toward an Anger-Management Plan There are five essential steps in helping children deal...

The question is not whether your teen will make a bone-headed or maybe even rebellious decision. The question is how you, the parent, will react. Here are some ways that will guarantee your teen learns absolutely nothing from a bad decision. First, protect them from all painful, uncomfortable, expensive or embarrassing consequences. This will ensure that they will do it again. They’ll think they can do pretty much...

If you’re a father, being a dad is your most important job. And in that job, it’s important to have a job description that spells out what is required of you. So, here are some essentials to being a successful dad. First, spend quantity time with your kids. How you spend your time is a reflection of what’s important to you. You value your kids by being with them, making memories that will last a lifetime.  Second,...

Most parents are extremely focused on the grades their child gets but what about how they get them? Are they cutting corners or cheating to achieve those grades? While education is obviously very important, the character and integrity our children establish should be the most important. If your child is getting an A in the classroom and an F in character, have they really learned anything of significance? What...

In this image-obsessed culture, your daughter is constantly wondering if she’s beautiful.  Here are three ways you can help her see her beauty. First, TELL her.  Don’t wait for your daughter to ask you if you think she’s beautiful…look for opportunities to tell her, unprompted, how beautiful she is on the inside and outside.  Tell her that she makes what she wears beautiful, not vice versa.  Telling her that she...

From an early age, we can recognize the innate differences between our sons and daughters.  But it’s even more important to understand how to handle those differences and uniquely parent your boys well.  Part of our job as parents is to turn our rambunctious, young sons into respectful, mature men.  So here are several principles for raising boys well.  First, channel their energy.  Instead of constantly telling...