Our children have amazing potential. They have special abilities and talents that make them unique. As they grow, those strengths, abilities, and talents begin to take shape and grow into hopes and dreams. As parents, our work is to nurture those dreams. How can we nurture our children’s hopes and dreams? How can we help our...

October 29, 2011

The Tongue in the Family Bank of Honor

by John Salmon

The tongue is an amazing muscle. Actually, it is much more than a muscle. We use our tongue to taste and to talk. We may even stick it out in a playful or nasty manner. We can use our tongue to say the most wonderful, funny words or to say terribly, hurtful things. Not only...

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Grace Honor

affirmation compliment encouragement family bank of honor politeness power of words

October 22, 2011

Take a Fall Family Vacation

by John Salmon

I recently read a blog from The Generous Husband that talked about taking a vacation. I really liked the blog…and I love vacations. About this time of year, I’m looking for a vacation. The rush of the holidays is around the corner, the demands of homework and fall activities have taken a toll on my rest...

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Celebration Honor

acceptance affection affirmation encouragement family relationships power of words recognition vacation

October 1, 2011

4 Simple Guidelines for Praising Your Child

by John Salmon

Praise is a crucial aspect of effective discipline. When parents praise their children, they identify behaviors they like and encourage those behaviors to continue. In this way, praise helps increase the behavior we desire to see in our children. It can motivate our children to grow and mature. To prove truly effective, however, praise must follow...

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Family Shepherds

character effort encouragement parenting praise

September 25, 2011

Beauty, Beast, & Your Family

by John Salmon

“There is the great lesson of ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ that a thing must be loved before it is lovable.” G.K. Chesterton (http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/show/201564) Chesterton makes a great point here. Our actions will either bring out the beast or the beauty in family members. We bring out the beast in family members when we: Constantly...

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Grace Honor

acceptance encouragement family relationships kindness listening michelangelo politeness understanding

August 27, 2011

6 Ways to Celebrate Back to School

by John Salmon

My daughters are back to school today…woohoo! Well, my daughters are not celebrating the return to school. They rejoice to see friends but moan about the return of homework. Me, I take any and every opportunity I can to celebrate…and my children returning so school is reason enough! So, what can a family do to celebrate...

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Celebration Honor

encouragement family relationships gifts intimacy memories security traditions

August 20, 2011

How Do You Use Words?

by John Salmon

Lynn came into my office in tears. After she described her day, I understood. Just listen to the comments she heard throughout the day: “Are you going to eat all that? You really have to watch your figure you know.” “You can’t wear that shirt. It shows too much mid-rift. Are you trying to look easy?”...

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Honor

acceptance communication encouragement listen power of words respect support valued

June 25, 2011

3 Simple Steps to Discipline Children

by John Salmon

Children misbehave I probably don’t need to convince you of that…we all know it. Children need us to teach them proper behavior. That’s what discipline is all about–“training to ensure proper behavior: the practice or methods of teaching and enforcing acceptable patterns of behavior.” How do we train children in proper behavior? How do we...

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Family Shepherds

consequences discipline encouragement parenting teaching

June 18, 2011

Rare & Elusive Family Words of Honor

by John Salmon

There are some things you just don’t hear in the sacred walls of home…even though they would really show great honor to other family members. I thought I’d list a few of those rare and elusive phrases today. You rarely hear these statements in a family, but wouldn’t it be great…? “No fair, I...

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Grace Honor

discipline encouragement fun power of words

May 28, 2011

7 Ways to Teach Dependability

by John Salmon

Infants need their parents. Their parents feed them, bathe them, change their diapers, clothe them, help them get to sleep, calm them, and so on. In spite of all this effort from parents, I’ve never heard an infant tell his mother, “I see you’re busy with dinner, Mom. Don’t worry about my bottle. I’m hungry,...

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Family Shepherds

availability encouragement launching leaving home parenting role model teach time validation

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Grow Your Children’s Dream

The Tongue in the Family Bank of Honor

Take a Fall Family Vacation

4 Simple Guidelines for Praising Your Child

Beauty, Beast, & Your Family

6 Ways to Celebrate Back to School

How Do You Use Words?

3 Simple Steps to Discipline Children

Rare & Elusive Family Words of Honor

7 Ways to Teach Dependability