ADJUST to the new emerging adolescent. It's not easy and takes quite a bit of time. Cut yourself some slack and your teen as well, but do be vigilant. Don't be neglectful. Your teenager is not an adult yet. He/she may look like one, but...
LAY THE FOUNDATION Parents have the privilege of forming the minds and hearts of their children and need to invest a lot of time in doing so, particularly in the young years. They lay foundations for their children by their love, availability, example, shared activity and...
Here are some great reads for moms. Check on-line if they come in audios, e-books or pdf downloads. Well worth the inspiration. Great gifts to ask for Mother's Day. ...
At first, nothing is as appreciated as the helper who passes you baby #2. I needed help to lift that second baby (so the first would not roll off the pillow!). A helper can assist with making minor adjustments that make all the difference to...
Once you have a couple of children and a home of your own, you can often feel that you are up to your eyeballs in work – dishes, dirty laundry, toys scattered everywhere, bills to be paid, toilets to be cleaned. You feel you are...
When people hear that I have six kids, the reaction is usually entertaining. Sure there are some days when I wonder what I’ve got myself into, worry about the world they’ll inherit and consider the environmental footprint of a family like mine. But most of...
A woman said to me recently that my five children were very well behaved. It’s one of the best things I can hear so I thanked her. Then she asked me “how do you do it with so many?” I told her that I don’t think...
A few years ago a friend was attending the Earth Day celebrations in her community with her five children in tow. She must have been quite the sight as she pushed her double stroller along with her three older children hanging on. She stopped at...
Allow me to gush: I love being a part of a large family! Eight kids, all singletons –thank you very much! I have friends who have more than eight, and some who are close to the number. For now, we (my husband & I) are...
Most people get excited for couples expecting their first child, and rightly so. There are still looks of pleasant surprise and congratulations with the second and the third. The fourth pregnancy can bring about moments of silence for some, looks of genuine surprise from others....
I was pregnant for the first time, and feeling a bit anxious, so I asked my brother whose wife had a baby the previous year, "How much does it cost to have a baby on a monthly basis?" David said, "If you can afford a...
When mom and dad welcome children into their lives and focus on creating a cheerful and loving home, they can achieve so much for their children: BEING LOVED: Rather than being loved by just mom and dad, children have the added love of each of...
How you use your money can either alleviate or produce much stress in your life. It is good to get a handle on your spending habits so that you can channel your money in the right direction. ...
We're trying to get pregnant but it's not working. ...
Right from the time your child is born, that child is watching, soaking in and learning what it means to be human, to relate to others and what love is all about. As they grow, they need to learn the true meaning of love, life...
Definitely start young with age-appropriate explanations and expand on it as they get older. Try to be the first one to tell them so they hear it from you and not the others, even if it means the child is younger than you wish....
DAUGHTERS IN DANGER, SENSE & SEXUALITY and much more Abstinence Guide by Dr. Meg Meeker Start Preparing for the Teen Years Now by Mary Beth Bonacci The Neglected Heart by Tom Lickona 10 Emotional Dangers of Premature Sexual Involvement by Tom Lickona Video: Romance Without Regret By Jason and Crystalina...
by Mary Beth Bonacci Bonacci is a syndicated columnist based in Denver, and the author of We’re On a Mission from God and Real Love. I found the Real Love book an excellent resource for my teenagers and myself on sexuality. It is written in a...
If you choose to pull your children out of the school program, here are some ideas: Be positive in affirming your role. Stress your confidence, competence, and desire to be the primary educator in this critical area of your child's development. Always be polite, diplomatic...
