These Letters are intended to provide you with whatever insights we have gained over the last 30 years of parenting and marriage. Our perspectives are not comprehensive, just intending to spark thought on how to take your parenting and marriage to the next level of effectiveness. There is so much to say to you which we hope is instructive and encouraging, perspectives we wish we had ‘back in the day’. We had to figure it [...]
When our boys were younger we overloaded and overwhelmed our lives by trying to take advantage of every opportunity life presented. We believed that we had plenty of time and life would get less busy and overwhelming in the near future. We naively thought balance and getting less busy in our lives would somehow occur on its own. Fortunately we discovered that life’s balance doesn’t just happen on its own and we’ve come up with [...]
“Every day is Valentine’s Day!” is the usual quip Rich jokingly says to Shelly EVERY Valentine’s Day. Yet, joking aside, it does lead to a very important question. Are you intentionally expressing your love on a daily basis and is it being received effectively? Or is it only intentionally expressed on special occasions… like Valentine’s Day? Simply saying “I love you” every day is nice, but sometimes it’s meaning can easily become diluted and be [...]
Parenting is a process that has many seasons and phases. There were times in our own parenting when we could easily get stuck in a particular season or phase. Typically we would become comfortable in the strategies that were working and forget to look ahead to the upcoming season in our boys’ growth and development. Before we knew it, Trevor and Alex had outgrown our parenting! Three Key Areas To Watch Evaluating kids’ freedoms and [...]
Shawn and I were beginning to feel desperate. Disagreements with each other were becoming more frequent and our kids’ behaviors were spiraling out of control as a result. We couldn’t seem to get on the same page when it came to parenting tactics, and truthfully, neither of us had a clue what we were doing. Differing, and often unspoken expectations about the way we were brought up and therefore the way we should be parenting [...]
Core family values should be at the heart of your parenting. It helps you to define the “WHY’ of your parenting and establishes a character foundation that every member of the family should be familiar with. Whether you have toddlers or teens, it’s never too late to define and establish your Core Family Values (CFV). Where to begin Brainstorming and creating a list– Begin by compiling a broad list of values you want to define [...]
The most successful investments involve stewarding your time, talents and treasure to achieve the highest possible gain over and above the amount you initially invested. Over the years, we have made some good and poor investments. But, by far, the greatest investment we have ever made was investing in our family. Stewarding our time, talents, and treasure by investing in our family has paid off more than we even imagined. And it still continues to [...]
Last Sunday was Grandparents Day and it reminded us how special our relationship was with our own grandparents... and we miss them dearly! In that same reflection, we are so thankful that our boys have a special love and appreciation for their grandparents - our Mom and Dad. Studies from Oxford University and Boston College show that the Grandparent and Grandchild relationship can significantly add to the overall well being of the child and grandparent. [...]
“OneFamily has been so empowering in helping us to be on the same page with parenting. It's equipped us with the same language to use in our goals and a shared vision for our family & children!” Trish, Parker “I found (OneFamily) extremely useful and relevant to my family's situation. I plan to utilize many of the great teachings from both the class material and our awesome leaders.” Levi, Highlands Ranch “As a parent of [...]
There isn’t one among us who hasn’t had to forgive someone for something small or large. None of us will escape this earth without doing so again. Of all the spiritual tasks God has assigned to us, forgiveness is of the highest order. No other quality speaks to love and grace with as much reason for it. Forgiveness can release demons, restore relationships, establish a base on which to build, and set a path for [...]