Family by God&#039;s Design

Try Saying This Instead of That

Sometimes I like a simple cheat sheet. It gives me great ideas and primes my mind to come up with some more ideas. With that in mind, here is a cheat sheet for parenting phrases we can use instead of the one that immediately comes to mind when our children do something…eh…crazy. So… Instead of...

Family Shepherds

discipline parent child conflict parent child relationship parenting speech

February 15, 2021

Help, My Child ALWAYS Argues With Me

If you’re a parent, you’ve had the experience. You know the one. It’s the experience of making one simple request of your child only to hear them start to argue with you…AGAIN! Suddenly, the last few days come to mind and you notice that every time you said something to our child it turns into...

Family Shepherds

arguments conflict discipline parent child conflict

October 10, 2020

That Glorious Fight with Your Teen

If you have a teen, you will likely have some conflict with them. You may even get into an argument or two…and that’s great news! Why? Because the way in which you repair the relationship with your teen is an opportunity for everyone to grow “strong in the force” of emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is...

Family Shepherds

conflict resolution emotional development emotional health parent child conflict parent child relationship

February 15, 2020

After the Fight: Cold War or Intimate Harmony

Every family has conflict. It’s inevitable. Couples are going to disagree and argue. Siblings are going to clash, compete, and struggle with one another. Parental wisdom and desires are going to collide with their children’s push for independence. These skirmishes can create a cold war within the family; or, they can promote an intimate harmony...

Grace Honor

arguments conflict letting go parent child conflict resolving conflict

February 9, 2019

Children Misbehaving? Give Them a Seat

I remember it well. Days of rolling easy as a parent would suddenly come crashing down as our children took a sudden, sharp turn into Crazy Land (I hope they’re not reading this). To make matters worse, we could rarely identify any reason for the sudden shift in behavior…but shift it did! Our kind, caring,...

Family Shepherds Grace Honor

discipline empathy limits parent child conflict parent child relationship

November 1, 2014

Avoid 5 Practices to Have a Successful Family Conflict

Yes, you can have a successful family conflict! Successful conflict increases mutual understanding and intimacy. It draws families closer together. Conflict also reveals ways to help your family grow stronger. Conflict can do this and more if we avoid five practices. If you let these five practices sneak into your family conflict, misunderstandings increase. Anger grows....

Grace Honor

arguments conflict disagreement family intimacy intimacy marriage parent child conflict resolving conflict responsibility

October 4, 2014

I’m Afraid to Discipline

I was speaking to a young father about parenting and discipline. He knew his children often misbehaved even when he was present; and, he wanted to learn how to “be a fun guy” while remaining an authority. As we spoke, he made a telling statement. “I have a problem being stern,” he said. “Why?” “I...

Family Shepherds Grace

character consequences discipline limits love parent child conflict parent child relationship priorities security teach

August 11, 2014

Finish Your Family Business

“Shave and a haircut, two….” I hate it when things are left unfinished. Anything left unfinished sticks with us; we long for someone to finish it. “A, B, C, D, E, F….” Feel that desire to finish it? You may have already finished both of these unfinished phrases already. Chances are you will finish each...

Family Shepherds Grace

conflict family intimacy forgiveness intimacy marriage parent child conflict parent child relationship resolving conflict spouse

July 27, 2014

A Great Way to Win an Argument

If you have been married for any length of time, you know that arguments happen. If you have ever parented a teen, you definitely know that arguments happen. And arguments escalate. Each person conspires to make the other person understand “what I’m saying.” Defensiveness increases. Voices get louder. Heart rates begin to increase. Breathing accelerates....