The relentless pursuit of a “perfect child” is a modern parenting trap, an invisible cage built from good intentions and societal pressure. This mindset, pervasive in today’s achievement-driven culture, often masks a deeper and more profound fear: the fear that our child’s inevitable imperfections are a direct, damning reflection of our own shortcomings as parents.
Aim for kids who are less than perfect Read More »
We’ve all been there. You’ve had a long day at work, the traffic was a nightmare, and that promised trip to the park just isn’t going to happen. “Maybe tomorrow,” you say, trying to soften the blow. In that moment, it might feel like a minor setback, a small white lie to get through a
Things that happen when you break promises to your children Read More »
As a high school wrestling coach for 35 years, I have jumped into competition thousands of times, standing mat-side for 35,000 individual matches and feeling every emotion, from heartbreak to elation. I love competition, and I’m not a big fan of losing; however, I have learned how not to put winning in front of other
Why competition is valuable for growth and development Read More »
We have hundreds of conversations with our children throughout the year. They take on all kinds of different shapes, sizes, colors, and levels of importance. But how often do you ever follow up with your child about the outcome of these exchanges? Let’s say a father and his teenage son have a serious conversation about
Follow up, and follow through Read More »
Raising children to be winners in life is a monumental task that requires not just love and support, but also intentional, strategic efforts to shape their character, values, and skills. It’s not about achieving academic success or winning competitions alone, but about fostering resilience, confidence, empathy, and a strong sense of self-worth. To achieve this,
Battles parents must win at home to raise kids who can win at life Read More »
A lot of us heard our parents say it a thousand times while we were growing up: “Obey your mother and father,” or “Honor your father and mother.” They might have been quoting Ephesians 6:1-3: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother, 3 that it may go well with
A foundation for life Read More »
Sports are more than just physical activities; they are invaluable laboratories for life lessons. The competitive arena fosters resilience, teaching children to bounce back from setbacks and learn from failures. It instills discipline as athletes grow to understand the importance of dedication and consistent effort. Sportsmanship is paramount, emphasizing respect for opponents, teammates, and officials.
Youth sports teach life lessons as long as adults don’t get in the way Read More »
Who do you go to for parenting advice? A friend who is also raising children about the same age as yours? A grandparent? When I was first parenting back in the ’90s, my small group would devour hours of parenting videos or read the most recent books, looking for wisdom on how to do this
6 biblical principles for effective parenting Read More »
Many thanks to Joseph Gagliano and Pat McCalla for inviting me to appear on “No Grey Areas,” a motivational podcast focused on helping people understand how our choices “humanize, empower and define who we become.” You can tap into some fantastic resources and learn more about the truth of Joseph’s story — and one of
Podcast: Why it’s important to let your kids fail Read More »
