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 DadIn memory of Jim Jackson Sr.
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…
12 Reasons for Love-No-Matter-WhatThe best time to express your unconditional love.
Mitch was only in his mid-twenties, but he confidently and warmly welcomed the congregation at a large local church we attended where he was a…
Safety FirstCreating a culture of security and well-being in your home
At a banquet I attended I sat near a father and his two elementary-aged sons. They were playful and I engaged with them the way…
Two Questions That Defuse Almost Any ConflictAnd how they build wisdom and empathy
After working with parents for over twenty years we have learned that there are two critical questions that help guide children toward wisdom….
Whose Life Is It Anyway?College bribery and the snowplow parent
Spoiled kids are in the news again – or rather parents who spoil kids. In 2012 we wrote about the problem of entitlement and…
Getting Kids to Behave in ChurchMaking church a place of joy for your children
We received this question from a mom with three active boys who, at the time, was taking our online course Discipline That Connects With Your…
Parent or Friend? Can You Be Both to Your Child?Can You Be Both to Your Child?
“Kids don’t need us to be their friends, they need us to be their parents!” The dad huffed, frustrated that I had suggested his teen…
Kids Are Like Puppies
Little kids are kind of like puppies. They usually love unconditionally and are often forgiving when parents make mistakes of all kinds. Mom nags, child…
What Is “Attachment Style”?and how does it impact my parenting?
She sat right in the front row of a Connected Families parenting workshop. For the first part of the teaching she listened wide-eyed and engaged…