Family by God&#039;s Design

A Family Check

Take a moment and think back to the time when you were engaged and preparing for marriage. What were your dreams about marriage? How did you envision the daily life of marriage? What values and priorities did you want to live out in your marriage? Take another moment. Consider the time when you were anticipating...

Celebration

dreams emotional health family intimacy healthy development parent child relationship priorities values

February 3, 2025

Raising Supportive Young Adults

Children grow into adults. (Thank you, Captain Obvious.) We want our children to grow into adults who engage in prosocial behaviors, show empathy to others, and support others in healthy ways. A study from University of California found that adolescents who receive emotional support from family and friends became more supportive of others in young...

Family Shepherds

healthy development parent child relationship parenting support

January 20, 2025

They’re A Bad Influence on My Child

Have you ever found your children hanging out with peers you believe are “bad influences”? You might even fear those “bad influences” will get your children involved in negative behaviors. After all, most delinquent activities occur outside the home and away from adult supervision. It’s a legitimate concern. The question, however, is what can a...

Family Shepherds

friendship misbehavior parent child relationship parenting peer interactions

December 28, 2024

Don’t Be Fooled, Teens Want to Talk

The media often stereotypes teens as sullen and not wanting to talk to adults… avoiding meaningful conversations with adults 24/7/365 days a year. By twisting information to fit this stereotype, we (the adults in their lives) avoid responsibility for our part in a teen’s lack of interaction with us; and we begin to interpret a...

Family Shepherds Honor

communication curiosity parent child relationship responsiveness

December 14, 2024

An Invitation

Families benefit from phrases that begin with “Let us…” or “Let’s….” “Let us” offers an invitation to engage with one another, to do something together. It is an invitation to a deeper relationship. Sometimes the invitation accompanies fun. Sometimes the invitation comes with work. Even if the invitation suggests a work activity, it implies that...

Celebration Grace Honor

family relationship intimacy parent child relationship relationship

December 2, 2024

Relationships, Family, & Physical Health

A lot of people make a New Year’s resolution to live healthier. They make it a goal to eat better, lose weight, exercise more, or rest better. These are all positive goals that can increase physical health. However, I would like to suggest pursuing growth in an additional area that will influence physical health as...

Celebration Honor

family relationship health marriage parent child relationship relationship

November 25, 2024

Is Saying “Thank You” Really THAT Important in Families?

Have you ever wanted to just hear the words ” thank you” from a family member? After all, a little thanks would help you feel appreciated and add joy to your life, right? If you’ve had that desire, you’re not alone. In fact, research conducted by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign confirms your sentiment and...

Family Shepherds Honor

family intimacy family relationships intimacy marriage parent child relationship

October 19, 2024

“Boys Will Be Boys”

If you have sons, you know they can be a handful. They’re constantly on the go and full of energy. In fact, boys are wired to learn through experiential play and activity, especially in their younger years. They learn by touching, moving, and interacting. Running around, picking up frogs, sticks, & rocks, building ramps for...

Family Shepherds Honor

boys parent child relationship parenting play risk-taking

July 6, 2024

The Work of Children…and Adults

Fred Rogers is credited with saying, “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” I agree. Alison Gopnik also agrees. She reviews research in her book The Gardner and the Carpenter which suggests: Review that...