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Teens can be a bit of an emotional handful, much like they were in the toddler years. When we can recognize their struggle and approach their frustrations with intentionality, it can help reduce the frustration of both the adult and the teen. Drawing from the work of Dr. Siegel and Bryson, I want to talk…

We all have some room to improve in the parenting department, but there are a few key phrases that instantly build connections and improve the child-parent relationship. By sprinkling these throughout the day or week, you will quickly see a change in the dynamics and improve your parenting overnight. Sometimes it is easy to focus…

Many years ago my son and his father got involved in an epic yelling match. No one can remember what it was about. But it ended with my son storming out the back door. We realized a few minutes later… that he wasn’t in the backyard, but instead had left. After a little while we…

Reading through Chapter 30 of Sirach during this first week after my son returned home from college, I was drawn to the practical truth proclaimed thousands of years ago.  “Whoever loves a son will chastise him often, that he may be a joy when he grows up” Sirach 30:1. Chastise is a strong word. It…

Like so much of parenting, the answer lies in moderation. It is okay to let your kids be bored – but if you want to help them to continue to grow in divergent thinking, creativity, and cognitive functioning, you can’t take a completely hands-off approach. Some periods of boredom are okay, but generally, boredom is…

Traveling with children can be overwhelming to think about, but it can also be absolutely delightful! Traveling transforms a family – the kids may fight until we leave and start bickering again as soon as we pull into the drive, but there is nothing like an adventure! And the more we travel, the more they…

For years I ignored the 10th Commandment. “Keep the Sabbath Holy”. That was a commandment for other people who had the luxury of just taking a day off. Or maybe it was for people who weren’t as busy as I was with little kids and a list of volunteer duties. Sunday was my day to…

When she walked in the restaurant she looked at my daughters and rolled her eyes “how did you get them to wear a dress?”. I sighed back at her. There had been some discussions and eye rolling. Getting kids of any age to dress for the occasion is not simple and for some parents it…

It has to be one of the questions we ask ourselves repeatedly. Managing big emotions can be hard for little ones and it doesn’t get easy on its own. As puberty creeps earlier and earlier in our culture, our brain development isn’t keeping up. Our childhood brains are no match for the emotions of puberty….

“He loves you for who you are. He just wants to see you try.” I have said some variations of those words so often in the 20 years of parenting. There is so much meaning in that message. Hearing it from the pulpit from the mouth of the priest this morning gave me a renewed…