Remember the song, “Summer Nights” in the musical Grease? (Click Here to watch on YouTube) Parents can learn a communication lesson from that song, a lesson that can help us talk with our children. The singers repeated a particular phrase over and over in the song “Summer Nights,” a phrase that led to more and...

August 26, 2013

2 Words to Ban From Your Family

by John Salmon

Words carry power. They influence our actions and our mood. Even more alarming, they have the power to shape the thoughts, moods, and actions of those around us…not just for today but for years to come. How many of us can remember a harsh word spoken to us by a teacher in elementary school? Or,...

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Grace Honor

arguments communication marriage parent child relationship politeness power of words spouse

August 17, 2013

Good Parents Do Nothing!!!

by John Salmon

That’s right—you read that title correctly: Good Parents Do Nothing…well, sometimes anyway. I know it goes against our grain and our desire to create the perfect child, but sometimes the best course of action to take with your child is to do nothing. Don’t get me wrong; I still think parents need to remain very...

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Family Shepherds Honor

discipline limits parenting risk-taking teach trust

August 17, 2013

Celebrate Your Family With Pie For A Year

by John Salmon

I recently came across a website that listed various “food holidays” celebrated throughout the United States. I love to celebrate…and I love to eat. So, I decided to combine food, family, and holiday celebration for a year of family celebration. However, there were so many holidays (if you think I’m making this up, visit American...

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Celebration

belonging connection family meals fun holiday intimacy security traditions

August 10, 2013

6 Simple Ways to Build Happy Families

by John Salmon

My oldest daughter is leaving for college this month. As she prepares to leave, I have thought about how I want her to remember her time growing up with us. (Yes I know, I should have thought about that 18 years ago; and, I did begin thinking about it then. I guess the woman who...

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Celebration

availability friendship generosity gratitude happiness memories parent child relationship play teaching

August 10, 2013

Mom Was Right…Again!

by John Salmon

It looks like Mom was right…again. (Don’t you hate having to admit that?) All this time I thought she was just torturing me by setting bedtime at 8 pm when I was little—even in the summer when the sun was still out! But, somehow Mom knew even before the researchers figured it out. Now, I...

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Family Shepherds

boundaries discipline healthy development limits parenting sleep teach

August 3, 2013

The Secret Soil of Growing Healthy Children

by John Salmon

Shhhh…I have something to tell you, a tip to help you raise healthy, mature children. Here it is: the seeds of maturity grow best in the rich soil of acceptance. I know, it is not a great revelation, but, it is true nonetheless. The soil of acceptance nourishes an inner feeling of being loved and...

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Family Shepherds Grace Honor

acceptance children discipline parent child relationship parenting

August 3, 2013

Celebrate Family with 15 National Holidays

by John Salmon

I am amazed at the number of yearly holidays that I have never heard of. Seriously, who comes up with this stuff? For instance, you can celebrate “Name Your Car Day” in October or “Lumpy Rug Day” in May. It actually takes an act of Congress to create a National Day like the “National High...

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Celebration

belonging connection holiday memories play security traditions

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Talking to Your Kids: A Lesson From Grease

2 Words to Ban From Your Family

Good Parents Do Nothing!!!

Celebrate Your Family With Pie For A Year

6 Simple Ways to Build Happy Families

Mom Was Right…Again!

The Secret Soil of Growing Healthy Children

Celebrate Family with 15 National Holidays