Family Culture

2 09, 2019

Parenting in the Digital Age Part 2 – Healthy Perspective

By Shelly and Rich Howard|2019-09-02T11:05:00-06:00September 2nd, 2019|Family Culture, Health, Parenting|

In Part 1 of this series last week, we highlighted three areas that Moms and Dads should understand as they begin to formulate a strategy to parent in the Digital Age. Health Effects – Brain Development, Melatonin & Dopamine Safety Issues – Cyber Bullying, Identify Theft, Online Predators Behavior Complications – Moods, Empathy & Relationships The research and information in these areas provides you with knowledge you need to form a healthy perspective without fearing [...]

26 08, 2019

Parenting in the Digital Age – What’s a Screenager?

By Shelly and Rich Howard|2019-08-26T19:02:12-06:00August 26th, 2019|Family Culture, Health, Parenting|

Do you have a 4 year old that uses a tablet or 13 year old that is glued to their phone or video games? If so, you have a Screenager! In fact, a Screenager is any toddler, child, teen or adult that actively uses digital media or technology. Yep, we're all Screenagers! Over the next couple of weeks, our goal is to equip and encourage you with information that will help you to better understand [...]

12 08, 2019

Preparing for College

By Lis and Dave Marr|2019-08-12T14:24:08-06:00August 12th, 2019|Family Culture, Finances, Parenting|

College – so far, and so near. Ignoring the politics of college and the debate surrounding left or right, we’re assuming you want your children to be as prepared for life-after-home as possible. And that might include continuing with a post high school education. Even though that might be far away, you may be already saving for that event just as you are parenting for that event. There’s a reasonable debate as to what’s appropriate [...]

22 07, 2019

The Value of Youth Sports & Activities

By Shelly and Rich Howard|2019-07-22T16:10:08-06:00July 22nd, 2019|Family Culture, Parenting, Relationship|

Last week was National Youth Sports Week (July 15th-21st). In our nation, we are blessed to have wonderful youth sports programs for kids that do so much more than teach children skills for playing sports. Sports teaches kids about life while providing health benefits, increased prosocial behavior, improved emotional and psychological health, increased academic performance, and overall sense of well-being. We loved watching (coaching and team mom too!) our boys play different sports as they [...]

16 07, 2019

Blended Family Identity

By Lis and Dave Marr|2019-07-16T05:11:44-06:00July 16th, 2019|Family Culture, Parenting, Relationship|

Blended families have as much potential for individual and collective harmony and success as any other family, they just have some unique challenges to face. In this Letter, we’ll offer some perspectives on those challenges. It’s a big topic, so this Letter can’t and won’t be able to deal with the multitude of nuances that exist when two people come together, each with their own previously established lives. “But sail we must, and not drift [...]

8 07, 2019

Emotional Expression

By Shelly and Rich Howard|2019-07-08T17:02:05-06:00July 8th, 2019|Family Culture, Parenting, Relationship|

Emotional control or self-discipline is being able to manifest the appropriate expression of our emotional state. Our ability to manage our emotional responses is a lifelong skill that can define our character positively or negatively. Anger, frustration and disappointment are a part of life as a child and as an adult. There will always be times when these difficult emotions happen, but how we respond and express ourselves is the key to emotional maturity. When [...]

24 06, 2019

Summer Investment 2019

By Shelly and Rich Howard|2019-06-24T14:26:29-06:00June 24th, 2019|Family Culture, Parenting|

OneFamily is all about equipping, encouraging and sustaining you as you invest and grow in your marriage and parenting. Many of the concepts, principles and ideas that we share each week, in our OneFamily letter and quotes, are derived from the Growing Families curriculum we have taught for over 16 years. As a result, we would be remiss if we didn’t make you aware of a fantastic opportunity to learn and connect with other families [...]

18 06, 2019

Mow Money and Family Identity

By Lis and Dave Marr|2019-06-18T11:42:13-06:00June 18th, 2019|Family Culture, Parenting|

"Dano, (Later – Shelli and Kevin) this is our yard. When people come over or drive by they’ll see this as the Marr house and they’re going to see the yard first. What kind of impression would they have of us Marrs if the yard was full of weeds and the grass, bushes, and trees were dead? They’d think that the Marrs don’t have standards of care. Maybe not in those words, but they’d think [...]

10 06, 2019

A Father’s Blessing

By Shelly and Rich Howard|2019-06-10T19:29:44-06:00June 10th, 2019|Family Culture, Parenting, Relationship|

We recently read about an idea that really resonated with us. It described how children need their parents’ blessing. A blessing from mom and dad communicates unconditional acceptance and affirmation while greatly impacting a child’s identity. Your blessing frees their hearts and minds to grow into all the good things you as a parent want for them. For Dads, its especially important to know the impact your blessing has in the lives of your children. [...]

4 06, 2019

Teaching Margin For Error

By Lis and Dave Marr|2019-06-04T10:33:47-06:00June 4th, 2019|Family Culture, Parenting|

Let’s say your 12-year old son is twenty minutes late. He wanted to ride his bike to a friend’s house and promised to be home by 4:00 and now it’s 4:20. The bike ride required crossing a major intersection and called into question his capability and responsibility. Was he aware enough of traffic dangers and responsible enough to be safe and come home at the appointed hour? That was the plea and debate. In the [...]