Have you ever watched your children do something and thought, “What in the world are they thinking?” I have—like the time my daughter wrote herself a note to get out of gym class…in first grade…with a crayon…and signed her own name. For the sake of full disclosure, my parents likely thought the same thing of...

May 11, 2015

A Dozen Phrases Every Child Needs to Hear

by John Salmon

What parents say is powerful in the life of their children. Children hang their life, their very identity, on their parents’ words. Even the words said in passing have an impact on children. If children constantly hear their parents call them “stupid” or “a disappointment,” they will come to believe they are “stupid” and “disappointment.”...

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Family Shepherds

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April 18, 2015

Through the Parenting Maze

by John Salmon

The art of parenting has gotten lost amidst media hype and controversy. Instead of focusing on effective common sense aspects of parenting, the popular media turns our attention to the sensational and controversial. Tiger moms, free range parents, helicopter parents, attachment parents…a dizzying array of parenting styles presenting the opportunity to debate and argue, which...

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Family Shepherds

attachment discipline helicopter parent limits love parent child relationship parenting parenting myths rules structure value

March 28, 2015

Cut the Puppet Strings

by John Salmon

Children are not our puppets. We cannot control them. (Learn more in Children Are Not Our Puppets.) In fact, if we hold our children on puppet strings, we do them a disservice. We interfere with their healthy self-image, intimate relationships, and ability to assertively take a stand for what they believe. What can you do...

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Family Shepherds Grace

confidence consequences consistency independence limits parent child relationship parenting rules student value

March 23, 2015

Parents, Are You a Chipper or a Sculptor, Part 2

by John Salmon

Parents have a huge responsibility. We are responsible for the next generation, the future of our society. The relationships we build with our children will shape the world in which we grow old. The unspoken values we pass on to our children will impact how future generations interact, resolve conflict, and share resources. The subtle...

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Family Shepherds Uncategorized

competence confidence discipline encouragement parent child relationship parenting value

March 22, 2015

Parents, Are You a Chipper or a Sculptor

by John Salmon

Parents carry a huge responsibility. We are responsible for the next generation, the future of our society. The relationships we build with our children shape the world in which we will grow old. The unspoken values we pass on to our children will impact how future generations interact, resolve conflict, and share resources. The subtle...

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Family Shepherds

competence confidence criticism emotional health parent child relationship value

March 16, 2015

Give Your Child the Gift of a Lifetime

by John Salmon

You have a gift your child needs, an ability she cannot live without. Giving your child this gift will result in an ability she will cherish for a lifetime. She will reap the benefits of this gift over and over as it “keeps on giving.” This gift reveals the extent of your love for your...

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Family Shepherds

acceptance emotional health emotions intimacy parent child relationship parenting

March 7, 2015

Your Child’s “Best Teacher Eh-verrr”

by John Salmon

I still remember the day it happened. My daughter came home raving about her teacher. She loved him. He was the “best teacher eh-verrrr.” In fact, he was a good teacher. She learned a lot from him. But, he really wasn’t THE best teacher she ever had. I know because the best teacher any child ever...

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Family Shepherds

discipline emotions expectations family intimacy parent child relationship teach

February 16, 2015

The Gift of Freedom is Wrapped in Safety

by John Salmon

I wanted to present this information with a creative flare. Maybe an inspiring story, a personal experience, or an insightful saying would provide the creative boost I wanted. But, I just couldn’t come up with anything. So, I am just have to say it straight out. I have to stick with the direct approach. Here...

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Family Shepherds

availability discipline healthy development parent child relationship presence safety structure

January 26, 2015

Hot Sauce Vs. the Power of Relationship

by John Salmon

When you build strong, secure relationships with your children, you promote world peace. Does that sound like an overstatement? Well, consider Mikulincer’s research. Mikulincer asked 120 undergraduate Israeli Jews to give both an Israeli Jew and an Israeli Arab a sample of hot sauce. He used these two groups because “research has shown that [these...

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Family Shepherds Honor

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Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

A Back Door to Your Child’s Heart

A Dozen Phrases Every Child Needs to Hear

Through the Parenting Maze

Cut the Puppet Strings

Parents, Are You a Chipper or a Sculptor, Part 2

Parents, Are You a Chipper or a Sculptor

Give Your Child the Gift of a Lifetime

Your Child’s “Best Teacher Eh-verrr”

The Gift of Freedom is Wrapped in Safety

Hot Sauce Vs. the Power of Relationship