“I hope that my story can give some insight on the side of social media that not enough people talk or know about and I encourage you after reading this, that you will talk it over with your kids and figure out ways to keep them safe and use social media responsibly.” ________ Last week, we shared with you the first part of Jack’s Story in his own words. Jack, who is now in his second [...]
“I hope that my story can give some insight on the side of social media that not enough people talk or know about and I encourage you after reading this, that you will talk it over with your kids and figure out ways to keep them safe and use social media responsibly.” At one of our Screenagers Event, we met a terrific young teen we’ll call “Jack.” Jack, who is now in his second year [...]
“Mooommyy! Mooom! Mommy, can my friend spend the night?” our little 5 year-old asked as he ran up the stairs with his friend in tow. “I’m sorry sweetie, but not tonight.” “But whyyyyy?!” “No. Not tonight.” No reason? Just a rejection? Doesn’t that seem a bit harsh? Wouldn’t it be better to explain why his friend couldn’t spend the night or at least throw out another possibility? No, this was a scene that had played [...]
What does it mean to be a Marr? This is one of the most important questions we faced as a young family. Being a Marr was not a question we contemplated walking down the aisle. For the two of us, growing up in different cultures, Lis in Sweden and Dave in California, family identity wasn’t one of the topics either of us encountered growing up at our dinner table. But in raising our three children from childhood [...]
When we took our first parenting class, our boys' behavior was not characterized by First Time Obedience (FTO). In fact it was after the very first parenting class we attended, when we picked up our boys from childcare, that they immediately proceeded to run around in every direction away from us. Our embarrassed calls and pleading for them to come to us were definitely not obeyed. As parents, during that time, we relied on a [...]
You have been blessed with wonderful children whose very nature is one of love and of learning. And you are their teacher in both. Season after season, you’ll have these saplings of yours that will look to you to guide them in the ways of love and the ways of the world. It’s just that simple. Like the gardener who always has a new crop of challenges of weeds and insects, sunny days and cloudy, [...]
At the intersection of Nature and Nurture stands a child’s attitude. Clearly a child is born with a temperament that influences the way in which they receive information. Their unique personality immediately coloring their own experiences to some degree, large or small. A baby’s joyful openness or colicky restraint seemingly foretells a life to come. How can parents influence a child into a positive mindset that will establish a ‘Can-Do’ perspective, open to new experiences, [...]
Parenting doesn’t come with a manual. Like many others in the beginning, Jon and I were surviving the sleep deprivation and just keeping our little ones clean, fed and rested. As their little personalities developed, we realized our two girls were very different. Using the parenting techniques that came naturally to us didn’t always give us the results we wanted. Jon and I soon realized we were not on the same page with how to [...]
One of the greatest parenting joys is when your child lets you into their private world... especially during the holiday season! What is the private world? Generally speaking, it is a special place where we all hold deeper thoughts, treasured memories, and feel the most vulnerable. It is the essence of who we are. The private world is what we share with our spouse and only our most trusted and closest friends. As our children [...]
Lis was coming out of the grocery store when she observed an altercation that seemed to be a sign of the times. A man was backing out of his parking space and apparently didn’t see a father and son walking behind him. The two were not in danger, but the father took offense at not being seen anyway and proceeded to yell at the driver. The driver took offense at the foul language and responded [...]