El enseñarle autocontrol a los niños es uno de esos dilemas que realmente retan las habilidades, intelecto y emociones de los padres porque el autocontrol no viene envuelto como un regalo con un hermoso lazo. Usualmente viene en forma de un berrinche, una pelea con un hermano, un golpe en la pared o una gaveta tirada o rota. Cuando la oportunidad llegue para enseñar autocontrol no es muy claro de lo que es o de [...]
Although we have a vague idea of what unlocked potential might mean, it is very clear what locked potential looks like – An intelligent teen who struggles with emotional instability; a gifted athlete who lacks motivation to try; a talented musician short on courage to perform; a disabled child who needs special attention. These types of examples create frustration for us observers who can envision what a joyous life they could have if they weren’t so [...]
“But the fruit of the spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Forgiveness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.” Galatians 5:22-23 “You will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:16 There are a few larger concepts that help guide parents in their everyday efforts at raising a family. We believe that Family Identity (Family Identity and Traditions, Memorized Family Identity) is one such concept which we reference constantly. Within that structure fits the rest of the ideas [...]
What is an easy technique to establish family identity that you can come back to again and again that creates consistency in expressing family values, helps train your children’s minds, and provides countless hours of family discussions that will create an intentional family culture and firm family identity? Memorization. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are admirable, [...]
This is an actual (paraphrased) exchange Dave had with our 16-year-old son. If you are using the Funnel philosophy (Parenting from the Tree of Life – Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo) on how to provide freedoms to your children, this is how it played out at the Marr house. “A teen rebels not against authority, but against relationship” (Ezzo). As a child grows, parenting philosophy on why decisions are made should be transparent and spoken aloud so they [...]
A Three-Part Series to Help Your Child Learn The Ways of Money Teaching your kids about money – Pre-adolescent thoughts Gaining responsibility about money – Adolescent thoughts Paying for college and being an adult – College and beyond _________________________ College and Beyond Your parenting guidance doesn’t end at 18. It’s as valuable now as it’s ever been, just more nuanced. The relationship you’re building will create opportunities for you to share your hard-earned experience, particularly [...]
A Three-Part Series to Help Your Child Learn The Ways of Money Teaching your kids about money – Pre-adolescent thoughts Gaining responsibility about money – Adolescent thoughts Paying for college and being an adult – College and beyond _________________________ Adolescence Though your children may not be in this age category yet, there are benefits to looking down the road to not only contemplate this topic, but also get a feel for how all topics layer [...]
A Three-Part Series to Help Your Child Learn The Ways of Money Teaching your kids about money – Pre-adolescent thoughts Gaining responsibility about money – Adolescent thoughts Paying for college and being an adult – College and beyond _________________________ Pre-Adolescence What is money to a child? If not told, not trained, and not experienced over an early lifetime, a person might walk the road to ruin with lack of understanding about money and its successful [...]
To your children, God looks and acts like you. They will come to define God’s love based on how they have experienced your love. Their self-worth will be based on that definition, a love that finds the right balance of words and actions to coax and mold appropriate behavior and effort. Their life is a divine journey of discovery guided by you. And for those parents who understand the depth of this blessing, they recognize [...]
How many ideas does it take to make a great life? Since we’re all born without the concepts necessary to succeed in life, we accumulate them along the way. By default, we use our parents’ life skills, unless we gather our own and replace their ideas with ones that are more suitable to our situation, ones that are intentional additions to our way of thinking and behaving. As adults, we have to finish the job [...]