Parents often give children an allowance to motivate them to complete chores. Unfortunately, I have found allowances to be poor motivators. Don’t get me wrong. Allowances often worked in our family for a short time…but then no longer worked. They would work again when our child had something they really wanted to buy (the real...

May 3, 2015

We Have a New Cat…

by John Salmon

My family just got a new kitten. My wife loves kittens so we have had a cat (or two) most of our married life. My daughters also love kittens. They laugh, giggle, “ooh,” and “aww” as the cats play or snuggle up. I don’t tell them, but I kind of like cats too. I don’t...

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Celebration Grace

chores comfort compassion emotions family intimacy fun play responsibility

November 17, 2014

Parenting Advice to Parents of Teens…From Teens

by John Salmon

Parenting teens is tough. They often seem to believe they have all the answers. They “know” exactly what they need, exactly how a parent can best parent, and exactly what their parent is doing wrong. Well, I decided to listen in on the vast wisdom of a few teens and learn some of their parenting...

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Family Shepherds Honor

discipline healthy development identity independence parent child relationship presence respect responsibility teen

November 1, 2014

Avoid 5 Practices to Have a Successful Family Conflict

by John Salmon

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....

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Grace Honor

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

October 11, 2014

A Baker’s Dozen to Show Grace in Troubled Relationships

by John Salmon

John Gottman believes “91% of the time the ground is ripe for miscommunications” in a marriage. I don’t know about the percentage, but I know conflict and misunderstandings arise in every family. It is inevitable. But, have you notice that family conflict can go from bad to worse in no time? Grace gets thrown out the...

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Grace

admiration conflict connection curiosity disagreement family relationships intimacy kindness responsibility understanding value

September 6, 2014

Dear Children, The Real Reason I Make You Do Chores

by John Salmon

Children, sometimes I ask you to help around the house or in the yard. Sometimes I may even expect you to do quite a bit. So, I feel as though I need to tell you the real reason I expect you to do chores. Contrary to what you might think, it is not so I...

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Family Shepherds Honor

appreciation character chores happiness healthy development parent child relatiionship parenting responsibility value

August 16, 2014

The Hardest Word–A Testimony

by John Salmon

I agree with Elton John when he sings, “Oh it seems to me that sorry seems to be the hardest word.” Still, I have to say it. My actions and words have driven a wedge between my wife and me. I have torn at the fabric of our relationship. I acted inappropriately. No, that sounds...

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Grace Honor

apology consequences forgiveness honesty integrity intimacy resolving conflict responsibility value

September 8, 2012

6 Ingredients to Build Family Intimacy

by John Salmon

We all yearn for intimate relationship. We long for the kind of intimacy that allows us to stand before another person without fear of rejection, without feeling shameful about our perceived inadequacies, and without hesitation to give ourselves to another person…to be completely known, deeply loved, and unconditionally accepted. We can learn to nurture that...

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Grace Honor

acceptance family relationships forgiveness intimacy responsibility

September 8, 2012

4 Gifts Children Hate to Love

by John Salmon

My birthday is this month. That means another year older (wiser?) and an opportunity to enjoy a couple of birthday traditions. One, we eat lasagna and cheesecake for my birthday. I love lasagna and cheesecake. Although my doctor may not agree, I think it is a great tradition. Two, I give gifts to my family. Nothing...

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Family Shepherds Grace

accountability consequences parenting praise responsibility sacrifice serve

March 10, 2012

5 Tips for the Dirtiest Job of Parenting

by John Salmon

I love to watch “Dirty Jobs” with Mike Rowe. “Dirty Jobs” gives us a glimpse of dirty jobs that most of us never knew existed and would avoid if possible, even though they contribute to our life. Parenting involves some dirty jobs—jobs like changing diapers after an “especially explosive episode” or cleaning a toddler after...

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Family Shepherds

acceptance community connection independence launching leaving home maturity parenting responsibility

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Should We Give an Allowance?

We Have a New Cat…

Parenting Advice to Parents of Teens…From Teens

Avoid 5 Practices to Have a Successful Family Conflict

A Baker’s Dozen to Show Grace in Troubled Relationships

Dear Children, The Real Reason I Make You Do Chores

The Hardest Word–A Testimony

6 Ingredients to Build Family Intimacy

4 Gifts Children Hate to Love

5 Tips for the Dirtiest Job of Parenting