The world seems to change at an alarming rate. Just yesterday I thought of a mouse as a tiny furry animal; today a mouse is a near-obsolete piece of technology used with a desktop computer. I remember listening to records-the flat ones that required a record player with a needle to play. Today, we simply...

Honor

April 10, 2011

Four Steps to Make Your Family Miserable

by John Salmon

Usually I write about ways to create a happy family filled with times of celebration and intimacy. However, some readers may prefer a more miserable home environment, a family that “prepares children for the real world,” a harsh world. Although I believe the best way to prepare a child for the “harsh realities of the...

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Grace Honor

encouragement expectations gratitude patience respect sacrifice security

April 2, 2011

Banking at the Family Bank of Honor

by John Salmon

Yesterday I had a wonderful evening with my family. Throughout the evening I made several deposits into our “Family Bank of Honor.” Everything just seemed to flow smoothly…very smoothly. I complimented my wife’s new shirt and told her how nice she looked…two deposits into the “Family Bank of Honor.” During a commercial, I got myself a...

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Honor

apology character family bank of honor forgiveness intimacy love

March 27, 2011

Family: Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

by John Salmon

Recently I have read and heard several discussions about prioritizing love for spouse or love for children. Should we prioritize spouse or children? Is family focused around marriage or parenting? Do we create a “kid-centered family” or a “marriage-centered family?” Those siding with the parenting-focused, “kid-centered family” emphasize that we only have our children at...

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Honor

family intimacy family relationships father marriage mother parenting

March 19, 2011

Super Heroic Dad Moments Gone Awry

by John Salmon

I always wanted to be my family’s hero. You know, Mr. Incredible…able to hear their slightest cry for help and fly with the speed of light to save them from injustice and unnecessary pain…to break unbendable bars of iron and release them from the prison cells that limit their dreams…to stop speeding bullets aimed at crippling...

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Celebration Honor

father fun legacy parent child relationship play priorities

March 13, 2011

Go Ahead and Argue…With Honor

by John Salmon

If you live with your family longer than a day, you’ll probably have an argument or two. You may, like me, work hard to “make” the other person understand your “point of view” (which of course is the right point of view-LOL) during this argument. This approach leads to anger, frustration, unresolved differences, and strained...

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Honor

arguments conflict listen power of words resolving conflict self examination

February 26, 2011

Family, A Haven in a Heartless World

by John Salmon

“The family is a haven in a heartless world.” ~Attributed to Christopher Lasch Each morning my family leaves our home and enters the discouraging, oppressive world of work or school. That may sound harsh, but true none the less…just watch the news. Students enter the “sacred halls of education” through metal detectors and security guards...

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Celebration Grace Honor

attention availability encouragement fun play politeness respect safety security

February 19, 2011

Going the Distance in the Family Marathon

by John Salmon

Family relationships are an ultra-marathon, not a sprint. Having all the skills and techniques in the world will only go so far unless you develop the endurance to “go the distance.” So, here are a few suggestions to help build endurance and help you “go the distance” in your family life. Slow down to increase...

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Honor

appreciation blessing family intimacy power of words

February 12, 2011

My Michelangelo

by John Salmon

Michelangelo is quoted as saying, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” I love that quote. Researchers describe a Michelangelo effect between spouses when one spouse brings out the best, the angel, in the other. My wife is my Michelangelo. Other people look at me and see a...

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Celebration Honor

appreciation encouragement marriage michelangelo spouse support

January 30, 2011

Groundhog Day: A Do-over

by John Salmon

In Western PA, we take Groundhog Day pretty seriously. I have a friend who visits Punxsutawney every year for the Groundhog Day Celebration. The closest I have come to Punxsutawney and Groundhog Day is watching the movie “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray. In this movie, Phil (not the groundhog but a news reporter played by...

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Grace Honor

curiosity family relationships kindness resolving conflict

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Forgotten Family Arts: The Thank You Note

Four Steps to Make Your Family Miserable

Banking at the Family Bank of Honor

Family: Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

Super Heroic Dad Moments Gone Awry

Go Ahead and Argue…With Honor

Family, A Haven in a Heartless World

Going the Distance in the Family Marathon

My Michelangelo

Groundhog Day: A Do-over