Online Addictions in Young People: How it Starts, and How it Stops I recently attended a training conference in Arizona which dealt in large measure with online addictions. Anyone who cares enough to learn what causes and cures them needs to know that they typically begin in childhood. I am writing three columns to […]
Last fall we mourned the passing of my mother, Betsy Hanna Schmidt (she’d insist, “Mrs. Craig Schmidt”). On what would have been her 85th birthday this month, 20 family and friends gathered to celebrate her life. I was amazed at how her life seemed to have impacted her grandchildren as much as us children. I see now that spending time with […]
Until five years ago, I never thought I’d ever create a stepfamily, but now I have. Turns out, I’m just going with the national flow. Even the staunchest defender of the traditional nuclear family, Focus on the Family, states that within two years, there will be more blended families in the US than any other […]
All parents from time to time find themselves locked into an ongoing power struggle with a child. The parent’s natural instinct response to a child’s misbehavior is met with more and more of that behavior. My suggestions here will require parents to go against their instincts. Many of the ideas below can be found in […]
If you’ve ever wondered why so many people spoil their children, it’s simple. They get two big pay-offs. First, the obvious: it’s easier just to get through the moment by indulging children’s demands, rather than stopping to teach them a lesson. And the more subtle reason is that by living for and through the child, […]
A high percentage of animals raise up responsible offspring. Their young leave the nest and learn to successfully fend for themselves. What percentage of American parents do you think get those two jobs done? My definition of successful children is growing up to solve their own problems emotionally and financially. They live contentedly on what […]
From Steven Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Successful People/Families: [blockquote_left] Habit #2: Begin with the end in mind. Avoid emotional cancers from toxic society: complaining, criticizing, comparing, competing. Mission statements should be timeless, addressing both ends and means. Covey’s personal mission statement: Live, love, learn, and leave a legacy. Families need to create their mission statement together, not […]
Steven Covey’s best-selling book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People made a great case for individuals and families to draw up mission statements. He suggested the mission be timeless (ongoing), and that the statement include both the means and ends (the hows and whys) for the mission. Different families have different top priorities. I’ve seen families that […]
Now and then in the life of every family, parents need to call a family meeting. Some common purposes include solving a problem, making a decision, planning family outings or activities, or understanding and getting along with a rebelling family member. Some families hold meetings once a week, but regular meetings work better once a […]