When you were a child, did anyone teach you how to properly greet a neighbor, a friend or a guest? How to accept a compliment or what the proper behavior should look like at a restaurant or when friends come over for dinner? If so, did you know why it was important that you show such courtesy and respect? One practical piece of advice that has served us well in our parenting is to Role Play [...]

We received an email from a weary mom who has been diligently trying to be consistent with setting expectations for behavior.  She’s been trying to teach the moral and practical reason why of right behavior and discipline her kids with encouragement and appropriate correction as needed.  However, she feels like she’s losing the battle as she holds on to her resolve by a thread.  We think this challenge is very common and know many parents [...]

The Howards are HUGE football fans!  In fact, we’ve had Denver Bronco season tickets in our family since 1968.  With the 2022 pro football season kicking off next week, we are reminded of a coaching philosophy that applies to many areas of our lives.  It’s the idea of playing to win versus playing to not lose. In football, there is a particular strategy that some coaches use to protect the lead when the game is [...]

This week our youngest son Alex is moving into his own apartment in a new city, a new state with a new job.  It seems just like yesterday we were dropping him off at college, setting up his dorm room… and driving away. Now here we are, just 4 years later, with college graduation in the rear-view mirror. Looking back at all the many years of heart training, setting the moral standard, instructing the countless [...]