Several years ago, I watched a 6-year-old leaping up and down in an attempt to grab a bar and hold onto it while sliding across a low hanging beam. She had done it several times, but had now grown tired. So, she jumped and missed the bar several times. Each time she missed, she would...

December 29, 2012

But I Really Neeeeed Them!

by John Salmon

I remember standing in a checkout line behind a mother and her preschool age son. As they waited their turn, her son examined the candy shelves. His eyes lit up when he saw gummy bears. He turned to his mother to ask if she would buy them for him. She shook her head “no” but...

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Family Shepherds

acceptance healthy development listening needs parenting role model

December 8, 2012

Christmas Shopping Increases Children’s Competence

by John Salmon

“Ho, Ho, Ho! ‘Tis the season” for giving gifts…and that means shopping. Shopping is work (for me anyway)! But, shopping also provides an opportunity to raise children with character, children who feel competent. Have you ever thought about what goes in to getting someone a really good gift? First, we have to think like they do: What...

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Family Shepherds

christmas competence holiday parenting teach

December 1, 2012

That Was Awkward…

by John Salmon

I sat in the car waiting for my daughter to finish her music lesson, come into the parking lot, and hop into the car. While I waited, one of her friends walked into the parking lot, briefly looked around, and began walking in my direction. She stared at her phone as she walked, thumbs quickly...

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Family Shepherds Grace

parenting safety teach

December 1, 2012

4 Ways to End Grumbling in Your Family

by John Salmon

How can our children and spouses become blameless and innocent, above reproach and shining like lights in the darkness? Ancient wisdom tells us that we become blameless, innocent, and above reproach…shining like stars in the darkness when we “do all things without grumbling and disputing.” That would make for a tremendous home life, wouldn’t it?...

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Family Shepherds Grace Honor

discipline gratitude limits listen parenting

November 24, 2012

Book Review: “The Blessing of a B-” by Wendy Mogel, PhD

by John Salmon

Wendy Mogel, author of The Blessing of a B-, looked ahead with confidence to the time she would parent her own adolescent children. After all, she had successfully navigated the challenges of parenting through the childhood years. In addition, she was a clinical psychologist who specialized in parenting and had worked with families for over...

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Book Reviews

discipline parenting resource teen

November 17, 2012

2 Parenting Essentials

by John Salmon

To state the obvious, parents play a crucial role in their children’s lives. They serve their children as teachers, chefs, administrative assistants, launderer, house cleaner, transportation manager, moral conscience, landscaper, mentor, and trainer of all these areas as well. I’m sure we could add to this list of parenting jobs. However, we can reduce many...

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Family Shepherds

curiosity healthy development parenting problem-solve safety

November 10, 2012

How to Change Your Child’s Sense of Entitlement into Gratitude

by John Salmon

Children often act like they believe themselves entitled: entitled to have their needs and wants satisfied immediately; entitled to not suffer, work, or adapt to the rules; entitled to have what others have; entitled to be in control. You’ve seen it in action. Your child wants a cookie and you tell them to wait until...

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Family Shepherds

entitlement generosity gratitude limits parenting

November 4, 2012

Parents, Do You Bail, Pounce, or Let ’em Suffer

by John Salmon

I reread the story of the Prodigal Son the other day. You might recall the story…a son asks his father for his inheritance. This loving father gives his son his inheritance, no questions asked. The son leaves home and blows the whole thing on wasteful living. He ends up broke, without friends, and working one of...

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Family Shepherds

bail out boundaries consequences limits parent child conflict parenting struggle

October 20, 2012

Teach Your Child the Art of Waiting

by John Salmon

I learned my lesson when I took a 6-year-old boy to his neurology appointment. I had no control. He was all over the place—climbing the walls (literally) and touching everything. The neurologist walked in to see my exasperation. Then he performed a miracle. He produced a small wind-up toy from his pocket, wound it up,...

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Family Shepherds Honor

healthy development limits parenting patience play teaching

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Heroes: Step Aside, Competence Awaits

But I Really Neeeeed Them!

Christmas Shopping Increases Children’s Competence

That Was Awkward…

4 Ways to End Grumbling in Your Family

Book Review: “The Blessing of a B-” by Wendy Mogel, PhD

2 Parenting Essentials

How to Change Your Child’s Sense of Entitlement into Gratitude

Parents, Do You Bail, Pounce, or Let ’em Suffer

Teach Your Child the Art of Waiting