Teaching Kids to Resolve Conflict
0Kids often fight. Teach them three key steps to conflict resolution: 1.) COOL DOWN. 2.) UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER. 3.) FIND A WIN-WIN!
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Raising Overcomers
Laying in the tent, during another in our long line of horrible weather Boundary Waters canoe trips, I was angry. We had intentionally picked the “statistically best average weather week” of the summer. Ha. This time instead of droning drizzle, bone-chilling cold, or homicidal mosquitoes, …
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“God sent Jim and Lynne for ME that day”
At a recent MOPS Presentation, Kelly (name changed) introduced Jim and Lynne to the audience. What the moms in the room didn’t anticipate was that Kelly had already been personally and profoundly impacted by Connected Families principles. With her permission, we’d like to share what …
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Can Kids Learn Patience?
(Image © Andi Berger | Dreamstime.com) “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” Ecclesiastes 7:8 What would your child do if you left him or her alone in a room with a fluffy, tempting white marshmallow (or …
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Blessing For The New Year!
There’s a passage in the Bible commonly referred to as the “Faith Hall of Fame.” This passage found in Hebrews 11 is a roll call of patriarchs and saints lauded for valiant faith and perseverance through extreme trials. In the midst of these heroic tales, …
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Will Your Child Be Famous?
Do everything…so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. Philippians 2:14-15. Image © Olgacov | Dreamstime.com The kids jumped up from their chairs, held hands …
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When Kids’ Disrespect Gets You Fuming!!!
The memory is vivid. Our eldest son Daniel was quick with his tongue when unhappy. Quick and usually ugly. One day I was sternly (…OK harshly) disciplining my daughter for laziness, and she burst into tears. Daniel emerged from his room brashly declaring, “Way to …
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When Kids Leave Messes
If your kids are messy, and won’t clean up after themselves, it’s not because they’re bad kids, it’s because they haven’t been taught well. Some kids are harder to teach than others. For these kids, a little fun might be the answer. With the two …
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Connected Families – Nobly Pursuing Its Mission!!
We live in an age where children and youth – though given great opportunities, feel largely misunderstood and emotionally and spiritually abandoned by their parents. So we at Connected Families are doing our part to partner with churches, families, and individuals to offer workshops, coaching, …
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Brace Yourself – It's Coming!!
Kids are already (or soon will be) plotting their Christmas lists, whether the benefactor is Santa, parents, or a generous Grandma. Children are not alone in this quest – the media has been implementing well-researched goals and strategies to support kids in this noble endeavor …
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The Talent Waiting To Be Discovered…. In Their Misbehavior!
John’s eyes pierced into mine. “No one has ever said anything like that to me!” he sternly said. I was sad that he’d lived nearly eighteen years and never heard the encouragement I’d offered. He was a jaded teen covered with piercings, tattoos, and tattered …
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You Can Both Win The Chore Wars!
I had been frustrated by ten-year-old Noah’s lack of thoroughness, and what I considered poor effort in cleaning the bathroom. It dawned on me that I (Lynne) was expecting him to just know how to do it without ever actually breaking it down for him. …
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Mercy In Our Struggle
“Can’t you just get in the bathtub without arguing?!!” Daniel and I were nose-to-nose in a typical power struggle. I knew it was going to take most of my intellectual and emotional savvy just to get this grimy little kid in the tub. Of course, …
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Formulas Don't Work!
Ever wish there was a magic formula for raising great kids? Greg Braley from New Hope Church speaks here about the CF model and how formulas don’t always work. If formulas aren’t working you – you’re not alone. Check it out and be encouraged. Can …
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Your Family and Youth Sports: Maximize the Learning – Minimize the Stress
I’m a coach for my son’s 5th grade football team. I’ve learned the basics of coaching, how to break things down to teach skills that will help the team succeed. I love the game, the kids, the coaches. It’s been a tremendous joy to be …
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Thank You "Family Mile-A-Thon" Sponsors!
Connected Families would like to thank Southwest Christian High School and St. Francis Sports Medicine for their sponsorship of the Connected Families “Family Mile A Thon” this past summer. We Appreciate Your Partnership! St. Francis Rehabilitative Services offers physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech language …
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The Two Choice Rule – It Really Works!!
Ever feel like it’s incredibly difficult and frustrating to get your child to behave? Watch this short video (about a minute) and learn a simple technique that many parents say has had a huge impact on their parenting – and their frustration levels! Let us …
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Be Aware of "Backover" or "Frontover" Accidents
Our good friend Cory from Snap Social Media sent this to us. We thought this would be a helpful post and an important reminder to prevent an accident that would be devastating for any family. On Friday July 22nd the following Community Message was issued …
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Are We Raising Animals?
Are We Raising Animals? I literally looked across the table and asked my wife this? We had been eating our dinner of Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana sandwiches – a favorite in our home. At one point I looked over at my son and frustration …
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Managing Kids’ Anger (Part 1)
My Bad Example Had been the Teacher, Not My Teaching About Bad Words. I was fixing the toilet. Two-year-old Bethany was playing in a room down the hall. I was doing final repairs needed before we closed on the sale of our house. I just …
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Chores Made Easy!
Two Year-Old Doing Chores? Are You Serious? We’ve seen two year olds trained to do chores. In fact – here’s a picture of our housemate’s son Eli – at age two years and two months, posing for a picture of the table he set by …
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When Kids Bug Us for Money
Early Job Training Produces More Than Money. It’s ugly. It’s a gray lawnmower with a 5 horsepower Tecumseh engine and a 20 inch deck. The perfect balance of size and power for a …………..10 year old? Buy a lawnmower for a 10 year old? Why …
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Does Your Discipline Connect with Your Child's Heart?
We all want kids who grow up happy, motivated and compassionate. We want kids who want to do right, not because they’re afraid of getting caught but because they desire to do right – even when no one is looking, or they can’t get caught. …
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Is It OK To Yell At My Child?
Sometimes the way we use our voices is more important than what we say. So if you are going to choose to use a loud or passionate voice with your child, give some consideration not just to your words, but to how you communicate. It …
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