Got a Smart Teenager (or Child) With Bad Grades?

How to Inspire, Not Nag

4 Ways to Deal with Your Child’s Violent Outbursts

The truth is: every explosive outburst is generated by a mix of anger, anxiety, and feeling misunderstood or invalidated.  The violence has begun

What Kids Learn About Politics NOW Might Last a Lifetime

If we want our kids to learn about politics and engage thoughtfully about what’s happening in politics outside our home, we can only control what

Should I Punish My Child for Swearing?

“S#*t,” “Oh My G-d.” …or “What the _____?” We’ve heard from numerous parents that this kind of language hurts their ears as well as their

To Spank or Not to Spank?

If you work with Christian parents, it’s tempting to stay far away from the spanking debate. There are the “never spank” parents, the “immediate obedience

Avoiding Power Struggles Is Simpler Than You Think

We all want to avoid power struggles with our kids. The tantrums can be exhausting. Asking sincere questions, even with small kids, is a great

“Are We Gonna Be Okay?”

“Are we gonna be OK?” It’s a question making the rounds these days. When you think about your kids celebrating Easter during a pandemic, it

Being Present with Our Kids

Most of us would agree there are many theories on the best way to educate our children: public school, private school, charter school, home school,

We Say “Stop!” They say, “NO!”

 Working with parents for over twenty years, we consistently see the following scenarios play out with kids of all ages:  Parents say “Do this!” Kids

What Changed My Mind About Dad

Dear Connected Families family, I write to you today with a heavy, but hopeful, heart. The reason? My dad passed away on October 14th, and

Two Questions That Defuse Almost Any Conflict

After working with parents for over twenty years we have learned that there are two critical questions that help guide children toward wisdom. The problem

Whose Life Is It Anyway?

Spoiled kids are in the news again – or rather parents who spoil kids. In 2012 we wrote about the problem of entitlement and offered