“What do you think is the most important ingredient in the family?” I quickly respond: forgiveness. It also might be the most difficult. I can’t count the number of times over the years that I’ve had to go to my husband or my children and say, “Honey, I shouldn’t have said what I did, or … Read More about The Most Important Ingredient in Family Relationships
Cultivating Courage
Tears streamed down my face as I gasped for breath between sobs. Desperately I tried to pray and recite familiar Bible verses. John’s damp hand held mine as he too prayed and wept. It was past midnight, and we were in the hospital waiting as our son Chris underwent a CAT scan to determine the … Read More about Cultivating Courage
Cultivating Compassion
At the heart at raising kids with character is the trait of compassion. What is it exactly? How can we help our children and grandchildren develop it? Here are some thoughts from my husband John. Compassion is having pity, feeling sympathy for another, and doing something about it. It’s the opposite of envy at another’s … Read More about Cultivating Compassion
A Prayer for Teachers and Caregivers
It’s the season of releasing our children into the hands of teachers and caregivers. And it can be frightening! We have so little control over what happens when we’re not around. Here’s a prayer you might pray for your child’s teacher or caregiver. Dear God, I know my child so well. I understand how he … Read More about A Prayer for Teachers and Caregivers
An Emptying Nest – Lots of Emotions
For many of us the ending of summer and beginning of fall is hard. Perhaps you’ve just sent your first or your last child off to college or to work. You are still shedding tears. Or you may be well into the empty nest but you are sad because the ending … Read More about An Emptying Nest – Lots of Emotions
Cultivating Integrity
Years ago the cover of the New York Herald Tribune Sunday magazine showed a photo of the Statue of Liberty taken from above, presumably from a helicopter. The amazing thing about the top of the Lady of Liberty’s head was that every inch of the hair and crown was worked out in perfect detail. When … Read More about Cultivating Integrity
A Teachable Spirit
Character is a hot topic in today’s culture. How do we raise kids with a strong moral fiber in a culture with shifting values? What character traits are important? How can we impart to our children traits that we so often fail in ourselves? Character is not something that we parents “get” then “ zap” our kids … Read More about A Teachable Spirit
The Home Where Character Blossoms
Character is a hot topic in today’s culture. How do we raise kids with a strong moral fiber in a culture with shifting values? What character traits are important? How can we impart to our children traits that we so often fail in ourselves? Character is not something that we parents “get” then “ zap” our kids … Read More about The Home Where Character Blossoms
