A good listener?  Hardly.  But maybe a good lecturer.  So what does it mean to parent as a good listener?  Well, I’ll give you a couple of hints… its more than the absence of talking… and it doesn’t involve multitasking when your child is speaking to you.   Listening is the active process of hearing what our child is saying, looking at their eyes and body language for clues, processing it all to determine what’s...

It’s not some high-tech gadget you can pick up at a store… it’s a sense of belonging. So how can you instill that in your kids? At home, let your kids know they’re important to you, and to your family. Affirm their positive character traits, encourage their unique gifts, and let them know their thoughts and opinions matter. Then, when you’re out in public, praise them to others – and proudly claim them: “This is...

One of my favorite things about working at Family First is the opportunity we have to influence thousands of families across the country through our iMOM Morning and All Pro Dad’s Day school breakfast programs. Parents and kids gather monthly before school to laugh, learn, and grow closer to each other. As parents, this is a valuable way to stay connected with our kids by discussing tough topics and a great way to...

I remember when our oldest daughter, 16 years old at the time, came home and told us a boy had asked her to the homecoming dance.  I agreed that she could go but reminded her that I would need to interview him before the event.  She was embarrassed about it but knew it had to happen. You see, I had already prepared her several years before by telling her that I would need to sit down with any young man who wanted...

Let’s face it, common courtesy is pretty uncommon these days. Do you hold the door open for people? Do you say “thank you” when people hold a door open for you? Do you remember to say “please” and “thank you” to the sales clerk, the mechanic, or the person at the drive-thru window? Do your co-workers or employees think of you as a courteous person? And what about your spouse and children? Do you show them the same...

  We all want to get promoted in our jobs. And, if you have kids, your most important job is being a parent. Here are four things you can do to get promoted in your most important job. First, be honest. Honesty always wins. You should be honest with your child at all times, even when it’s painful. Second, be reliable and keep your word. When you commit to doing something with your child, put it on your calendar....

  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...