With Mother’s Day approaching, Shelly reflects on four areas from her motherhood journey. _____________________ I feel truly blessed and grateful for the journey I’ve been on with Rich in raising our boys, now 23 and 21 years old. We were in our mid-thirties when Trevor and Alex were born and we thought we would be great parents. We quickly discovered all the ways parenting was going to challenge us. As a mom, the experience has [...]
Moms and Dads attend OneFamily parenting classes to find answers. Should a child sleep in the parent’s bed? Is offering a reward for good behavior a bribe? If you take away a privilege, how and when should you restore it? Are timeouts really effective? How do you get your children to play nice with one another? Should you spank, and if yes, then for what reason and how should you do it? How should you [...]
When looking at your child’s behavior, have you ever considered their emotional health? Certainly, there are many factors that influence emotional health, but over the years we have seen many situations were focusing on your child’s love language can greatly improve their overall disposition and behavior. You've probably heard of The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts, by Gary Chapman. Or perhaps you took the test as a part of a pre-marital [...]
“You can do anything for 1 minute” is not just an easy phrase for parental encouragement, it’s a brick in the foundation of a child’s life. It isn’t long after babies become toddlers that parents should begin the long process of building character through self-discipline. Every era in childhood will present new opportunities for parents to develop in their children the strength to face the hard-earned ability of sticking with a task through the desire [...]
Our mindset has everything to do with our happiness and success in every area of life. What we’ve experienced over the last year has certainly amplified that in so many ways. Dealing with the impact of the Pandemic has definitely affected our mindset. Navigating change, disappointment and uncertainty takes a lot of emotional work. We’ve all been under more stress and feeling more anxious which can manifest in some harmful ways if we let it. [...]
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 [...]
Having a healthy and thriving family begins with a health marriage. We believe that the marriage relationship should be the first priority within the family structure… even before our kids! In today’s society, there is constant pressure to put our children first above EVERYTHING else in the family environment. This misguided prioritization can ultimately lead to child-centered parenting and even divorce. Don’t get us wrong. Our children are a top priority. And just because we [...]
“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 [...]
Of all the expressions of unwanted behavior that we encounter during the course of parenting, Whining and Temper Tantrums seem to span all ages. Toddlers and Teens resort to whining when they don’t get their way, just as 3 year olds, 4th graders and high schoolers can all throw temper tantrums when they get frustrated. Unfortunately, you may even notice this behavior in adults as well. With all the COVID restrictions and spring fever in [...]
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, [...]