Letters

17 12, 2022

Keys to Intentional Parenting

By Shelly and Rich Howard|2022-12-17T19:04:22-07:00December 17th, 2022|Family Culture, Letters, Parenting, Uncategorized|

Sometimes we can feel like we are winging it as parents. The demands and pressure of life can get so overwhelming that we can get sidetracked from those meaningful things our hearts desire - like being a good intentional parent. In desperation, when we often look for the one thing or a quick online resource to help us to put a “Band-Aid” on whatever issue of the day we’re dealing with in the moment. All [...]

11 12, 2022

An Unexpected Blessing

By Shelly and Rich Howard|2022-12-11T18:43:53-07:00December 11th, 2022|Letters, Parenting, Uncategorized|

A successful parenting journey requires consistency, patience and resolve. Yet the journey is often filled with frustration, anxiety and, at times, hopelessness even when we are trying to do our best. Thankfully, there are those moments that can unexpectantly encourage and sustain us in the process! Recently, we were blessed to see a heartwarming story on social media from friends and OneFamily leaders. This story is a wonderful example of one of those unexpected moments [...]

10 12, 2022

Family Conversation Cards

By Rich Howard|2022-12-10T12:01:25-07:00December 10th, 2022|Letters, Parenting, Personal, Relationship|

When our boys were about 6 and 4 years old we began a new family tradition that helped us engage in meaningful conversations with them. Little did we know how this tool would create many wonderful memories, help us communicate more effectively with our kids and take our parenting efforts and relationships with each of them to a higher level! As we head into Christmas and the New Year, we are excited to share that [...]

1 12, 2022

Character Training: Words of Life

By Lis and Dave Marr|2022-12-03T10:59:15-07:00December 1st, 2022|Family Culture, Letters, Parenting|

You are teaching your children how to be – to act, to speak, to think. For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. - Proverbs 23:7 As a Man Thinketh - James Allen Let no corrupt communication proceed from your mouth but that which is edifying and ministers grace to the hearer. - Ephesians 4:29 We are programmable biologically to where the brain gets wired differently when we are bathed in [...]

23 11, 2022

Impacting Families for Generations

By Shelly and Rich Howard|2022-11-23T09:00:45-07:00November 23rd, 2022|Family Culture, Letters|

Transforming and impacting families is at the heart of our mission with OneFamily! It’s about building an encouraging home environment where children and marriages are flourishing with everyone feeling emotionally and spiritually fulfilled in each other’s company. It becomes a legacy of love that can affect families for generations. This means equipping families with practical resources, encouraging them through the challenging days to persevere, and sustaining them in their marriage and parenting journey. https://youtu.be/hOae1j-CfDA [...]

17 11, 2022

A Season for Family Identity, Traditions & Gratitude

By Shelly and Rich Howard|2022-11-17T17:46:24-07:00November 17th, 2022|Family Culture, Letters|

Is your family characterized by having an attitude of gratitude? When creating family identity do you cultivate and teach gratitude? Among the many reasons we love the Holiday Season, Thanksgiving to Christmas, is that it provided us a wonderful opportunity to build our family identity through family traditions that encouraged Trevor and Alex’s hearts towards internalizing the virtue of gratitude. Family Identity Through Family Traditions Family identity is an anchor for you and your children. [...]

11 11, 2022

Character Training: The Virtue of Balance

By Lis and Dave Marr|2022-11-11T18:54:51-07:00November 11th, 2022|Letters, Parenting|

The idea that you’ll raise your children the same, each receiving equal amounts of your time, energy, money and intangibles is a commendable idea, but unrealistic. Equality certainly should be true as it pertains to your love and your moral guidance, but the simple truth is that love is often perceived by children through the allocation of limited resources. Consider the scenario if you have 3 children in sports. A boy might be gifted in [...]

3 11, 2022

Emotional Expression

By Shelly and Rich Howard|2022-11-03T04:21:47-06:00November 3rd, 2022|Letters, 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 [...]

29 10, 2022

Parenting Through Role Playing: The How & Why

By Shelly and Rich Howard|2022-10-29T17:40:34-06:00October 29th, 2022|Letters, Parenting|

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 [...]

21 10, 2022

The Preciousness of Others

By Shelly and Rich Howard|2022-10-21T18:15:34-06:00October 21st, 2022|Family Culture, Letters, Parenting|

As much as we enjoyed Halloween, we were always glad when it was behind us. Sure, we enjoyed many aspects of trick or treating like the time a 4 year old Elvis impersonator came to the door and said, “Thank you. Thank you very much” in his deepest little voice. But, with all the fun and excitement, there is also a certain kind of craziness that is driven by the childhood narcotic – Candy. It’s [...]