Are you protective of your children? Perhaps even a helicopter parent? Children need a parent to protect and guide them, no doubt. They need parents who will teach them right from wrong and hold them accountable to those standards. They benefit from parents that will support them and advocate for them when necessary. However, in...

January 5, 2013

LOL-On Safari for the Elusive Smile

by John Salmon

The smile—you know, that infant giggle that brings joy to a mother’s heart, the hearty laughter of a child telling silly jokes, that elusive expression that goes into hiding through the teen years, the “raucous guffaw” of the adult watching comedy. We love to smile…and laugh. A recent review of a study on smiling and...

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Celebration

fun intimacy laugh memories play

January 5, 2013

Heroes: Step Aside, Competence Awaits

by John Salmon

Several years ago, I watched a 6-year-old leaping up and down in an attempt to grab a bar and hold onto it while sliding across a low hanging beam. She had done it several times, but had now grown tired. So, she jumped and missed the bar several times. Each time she missed, she would...

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Family Shepherds

competence encouragement helicopter parent parenting struggle

December 29, 2012

But I Really Neeeeed Them!

by John Salmon

I remember standing in a checkout line behind a mother and her preschool age son. As they waited their turn, her son examined the candy shelves. His eyes lit up when he saw gummy bears. He turned to his mother to ask if she would buy them for him. She shook her head “no” but...

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Family Shepherds

acceptance healthy development listening needs parenting role model

December 29, 2012

Carry the Beauty of Christmas into Next Year!

by John Salmon

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas filled with family, joy, and peace. Many people enjoyed receiving presents during the Christmas season…I know I did. Even more, I enjoyed giving presents to others. I love to see peoples’ faces light up in response to a well-chosen gift. But, Christmas is more than merely exchanging material...

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Grace Honor

christmas generosity holiday sacrifice serve traditions

December 15, 2012

Christmas Spirit? Stuck in Gridlock!

by John Salmon

I hate driving during the Christmas season. Traffic is terrible. Drivers seem more erratic, less patient, more rude, and in a rush. Every time I leave my house I end up in gridlock. If there is one thing that triggers my impatience (and there is at least one thing), it is traffic. Especially when I’m...

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Celebration

christmas holiday rest time traditions

December 15, 2012

Priceless Christmas Gifts…Cheap!

by John Salmon

I don’t want to say I’m a scrooge, but I do like to find a good deal, especially at Christmas time. In fact, I’d love to get each family member a great gift, one they consider priceless…and I’d like to get it inexpensively. Let me rephrase that: I’d like to get it down right cheap!...

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Celebration Honor

christmas gifts holiday traditions

December 8, 2012

Christmas Shopping Increases Children’s Competence

by John Salmon

“Ho, Ho, Ho! ‘Tis the season” for giving gifts…and that means shopping. Shopping is work (for me anyway)! But, shopping also provides an opportunity to raise children with character, children who feel competent. Have you ever thought about what goes in to getting someone a really good gift? First, we have to think like they do: What...

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Family Shepherds

christmas competence holiday parenting teach

December 8, 2012

Family Christmas Tree Values

by John Salmon

We decorated our Christmas tree last week. I love our family time decorating the tree. We put on Christmas music while we work together decorating the tree, sipping hot chocolate, and joking around. I always joke about not getting a Christmas tree, but I love the Christmas tree. I hope that, in the long run,...

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Celebration Grace Honor

character christmas holiday intimacy marriage parent child relationship

December 1, 2012

That Was Awkward…

by John Salmon

I sat in the car waiting for my daughter to finish her music lesson, come into the parking lot, and hop into the car. While I waited, one of her friends walked into the parking lot, briefly looked around, and began walking in my direction. She stared at her phone as she walked, thumbs quickly...

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Family Shepherds Grace

parenting safety teach

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

3 Signs You Are A Helicopter Parent

LOL-On Safari for the Elusive Smile

Heroes: Step Aside, Competence Awaits

But I Really Neeeeed Them!

Carry the Beauty of Christmas into Next Year!

Christmas Spirit? Stuck in Gridlock!

Priceless Christmas Gifts…Cheap!

Christmas Shopping Increases Children’s Competence

Family Christmas Tree Values

That Was Awkward…