“You reap what you sow.” I was thinking about this ancient saying the other day. We often tell our children to be careful what they sow because it will come back around to them in the reaping. In other words, there are natural consequences to our actions—a good lesson for our children to learn. But,...

July 13, 2012

Preventing Anxiety & Insecurity in Children

by John Salmon

Check out this amazing quote: “In our half-century of international research, we’ve not found any other class of experience that has as strong and consistent an effect on personality and personality development as does the experience of rejection, especially by parents in childhood.” Ronald Rohner of the University of Connecticut made this statement after reviewing...

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Family Shepherds

acceptance anxiety attention availability laugh parenting play security time

July 7, 2012

Parenting Preschoolers, Marshmallows, & Success

by John Salmon

What does parenting preschoolers, eating marshmallows, and success have in common? Apparently a lot. Daniel Goleman describes a fascinating study involving preschoolers and marshmallows. A researcher engaged a 4-to-6-year-old in play. After a short time, he told the child he had an errand to run. He plopped a marshmallow on the table and said, “If...

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Family Shepherds

accountability autonomy competence father mother parent child relationship parenting

July 6, 2012

Book Review

by John Salmon

The Attachment Connection: Parenting a Secure & Confident Child Using the Science of Attachment Theory by Ruth P. Newton, PH.D Ruth Newton, PHD, offers a excellent parenting advice for those who have children from birth through four years of age. In The Attachment Connection, she provides a wonderful and understandable overview of attachment and parent-child...

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Book Reviews Family Shepherds

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June 28, 2012

One Ingredient of Happy Children

by John Salmon

A research team at the University of British Columbia published a study involving toddlers and generosity. In this study, each toddler received treats (like Goldfish crackers). A few minutes later, one group of toddlers was asked to give one of their treats to a puppet. Another group was given an extra treat to share with...

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Family Shepherds Grace Honor

character generosity parenting sacrifice

June 22, 2012

The Lazy Days of Summer

by John Salmon

Remember those school-free days of summer you enjoyed as a child? I could not wait until summer arrived and I could relax during the long, lazy days of summer. I could swim, ride my bike, play with friends, go on a family vacation, sleep, and walk around town…the list seemed endless. Well, the list of...

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Family Shepherds

boredom children competence independence parenting summer

June 16, 2012

Relationships Rule

by John Salmon

Some people seem to think that rules make the child. When children begin to misbehave, they slap on more rules to pull them back in line. They believe that the more children misbehave, the more rules they need to make them behave. Don’t get me wrong, rules are important. However, effective parenting does not begin...

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Family Shepherds Honor

discipline family relationships hugs listen parenting physical affection time

June 12, 2012

A Parent Guides

by John Salmon

Josh McDowell said it well–“rules without relationship leads to rebellion.” Although I completely agree with that formula, we need to add an additional formula as well: “relationships without rules leads to running wild.” Parents must provide relationships and rules, love and limits, truth and grace. Parents as family shepherds will guide their children toward maturity....

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Family Shepherds

consequences discipline guidance limits parenting structure

June 12, 2012

Personality, My Daughter & A Wedding

by John Salmon

When my oldest daughter was almost 3-years-old, she played the part of flower girl in a friend’s wedding. She dressed in a beautiful white dress and dropped flowers on the carpet before the bride walked the aisle to marry her husband-to-be. Vows exchanged and pictures taken, we proceeded to the wedding reception. I love wedding...

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Family Shepherds

acceptance differences healthy development parenting

June 2, 2012

The Good Sheperd Rule of Parenting

by John Salmon

David wrote an ancient poem describing his Heavenly Father in terms of a Shepherd. I recently read this psalm and I noticed the action words that David attributed to his Shepherd Father. The Shepherd in this psalm “makes” His sheep rest in nurturing places. He “leads” them in safe places, “restores” them, and “guides” them...

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Family Shepherds

discipline guidance parenting security teach

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Parents: Sowing & Reaping

Preventing Anxiety & Insecurity in Children

Parenting Preschoolers, Marshmallows, & Success

Book Review

One Ingredient of Happy Children

The Lazy Days of Summer

Relationships Rule

A Parent Guides

Personality, My Daughter & A Wedding

The Good Sheperd Rule of Parenting