Essays
Parenting Perspective: Another Birthday
5/13/13It is just a birthday. One of many we celebrate together. As we push through our full family life, birthdays come and birthdays go and on and on we walk together. Except… Except it does not go on and on. Parenting may feel like an endless journey of caring for the needs of others, but the truth is that sometime soon, we will find ourselves standing in a new place where the years and years…
Parenting: The Wonder of an Untidy Life
5/8/13As I drew the broom across our wood floors, the evidence of a life lived with children piled up. Yes, there was dust. But I also saw small sticks, Easter grass, tabs to yogurt tubes, small clumps of mud from shoes, indoor soccer field filings and tiny scraps of crayon-colored paper. I had swept the day before. Discouraging. I was pulling the broom against the dustpan when I saw it: a tiny feather, white and…
An Honest Conversation to TEENS about TEENS
5/6/13As a therapist who works with many teenagers and their families, there’s one thing I can say about teenagers; it’s that you know how to push your parents’ buttons. Instinctively, it seems, you come with an arsenal of tools to get what you want, avoid getting into trouble, or cause your parents to blow a fuse out of frustration. And for what, a short-term gain perhaps? Think again. Then throw on top of that raising…
Creating Family Time: Inexpensive Family Outings
4/29/13
We could have said no. It was, after all, way too much driving. But after days of spring break spent relaxing at home, we felt it was time to get out. Limited time, a balanced budget and dog-sitting concerns quickly eliminated beach escapes, hotel stays…
Parenting: Seeking Advice, Finding Wisdom
4/9/13
Proverbs 13:10 says,“Where there is strife, there is pride. But wisdom is found in those who take advice.” When my children were born, I wanted to do it right. I wanted to work hard and be a good momma and love them fiercely and raise…
On the Parent Playground: Community or Comfort Zone?
4/2/13
As Christians, we say we believe in community. We talk about investing in our church family. We want to seek connection at our children’s school. We discuss the ways we can reach out and believe this is biblical, a way to live out the Great…
Devotions
COMMEND HIS WORKS
4/4/13 Read Scripture Verse: Psalm 145:1-7
The psalmist calls on each generation to commend God’s works to the next. It’s a precious gift when grandparents can be actively involved in the lives of their grandchildren. This is even more true when they share their legacy of faith with the next generations!…
MEMBERS OF ONE BODY
4/3/13 Read Scripture Verse: Ephesians 4:17-25
Paul reminds the Christians in Ephesus that they are no longer who they were. They are new creatures, renewed in Christ! They used to find it acceptable to be selfish and greedy, but now they are different. They used to find it acceptable to tell…
HELP TO STAND
4/2/13 Read Scripture Verse: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Returning from a week-long cycling trip, Steven badly wrenched his ankle on our own front steps while unpacking the car. What a welcome home! In a moment he went from feeling athletic to hobbled. How quickly things change! Yet he was well cared for as…
Resources
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Successful Step Families
Step families come with a variety of challenges to weather from the moment they say “I do.” Ron Deal addresses specific challenges and offers biblical insight as well as clinical experience as a marriage and family therapist to help equip couples for the journey ahead. He offers hope and encouragement for helping families navigate establishing working relationships within the new family as well as with the extended family.
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Marriage is a gift
http://glendora.patch.com/articles/your-marriage-is-a-gift Advice for weathering the storms of marriage from the Glendora Patch
"More importantly, if it is so difficult, why bother trying to make marriage work? For starters, it is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children. Research consistently shows that children tend to fare better in married, two-parent households. The investment you make in your marriage not only rewards you and your spouse, the dividends spill over to your children as well"
