Adventures in Parenting

This is worth the 18 minutes of this TED talk. I like the family meeting concept.  

The high school in my neighborhood is highly competitive academically. The kids there are not satisfied with getting into college, they are aiming for Ivy Leagues. At the same time, there is also a growing problem of cheating and plagiarism. Somehow these high schoolers are getting the idea that good grades must be obtained at […]

Rather than just talking about school, or about shopping, or about college applications, how can we as parents connect better with our children with deeper conversation? Here are some complete-the-sentence conversation starters. Parents have to answer too. Use these when you take a walk together, or on an hour drive to grandma’s house, or over […]

Ever feel there is some anger or resentment, or just negativity in your children towards you? No matter how young or old your children are, no matter how close you may be, living day to day together under the same roof can result in relationship problems. There are misunderstandings, words said that you regret, anger […]

“How was school today?” Fine. “What did you do?” Nothing. “Anything interesting? No. Conversation with your kids not getting anywhere? A parent asked me how she can get her child to tell her about what’s going on at school. Since you are the adult here, don’t blame the child for not wanting to talk. He […]

Ask around and children will tell you, “My parents don’t listen to me.” And they’re probably right. We listen, but we don’t really listen. As much as we love our children, we as parents don’t listen to them as we ought. We take for granted that we already know our children without having to really […]

I found it too easy to be sarcastic with kids. An innocent question like “Can I have a cookie?” will provoke a sarcastic response from me. “It’s a free country….” When I’ve had enough of 1st grade level conversation all day, I resort to sarcasm. Kids don’t understand sarcasm, but I’m sure they understand the […]

Do you find it hard to connect with your teens? Is the “teenage angst” just a stage of life with your teen that you have to live with, or is there something you can do about it? My podcast is an interview with teen expert Aurelia Williams. Aurelia is the author of Real Life Guidance […]

Improve Communications with Your Teenagers [ 27:42 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3199)

One of the best gifts to give your children is a good marriage between you and your spouse. But it’s a common experience that after couples have children, they have less time for each other. No doubt, children are demanding. We give them our time, energy, and affection. Then there’s nothing left for our spouse. […]

Why is it that with all the “time-saving” devises we have, we are busier than ever? Running from one activity to another, one meeting to another, one appointment to another… Has life gotten so busy that you don’t have time to spend with your children? Is your time together merely “doing” and not “connecting”? Here […]