Seems we always want what we don’t have—such as with our hair (curly vs. straight) or with the weather (warm vs. cool). And so it goes with our day-to-day lifestyle. Individuals who work full-time in a traditional work setting dream of a more relaxed schedule, vs. those who work remotely often desire more people time. Last week…
There’s always a lot of buzz about teens and their use of smartphones and social media. Most of us have heard horror stories about cyberbullying, “sexting,” and other risky online behaviors. For parents, this information can feel overwhelming. How do we compete with the powerful lure of “likes” on social media platforms such as INSTAGRAM®,…
Children love to play games with their friends, but many times fun and laughter turn into resentment and sad feelings. What might appear as pettiness to us is actually a very upsetting situation in the making. Occasionally, when children’s feelings are hurt deeply enough, they choose to shut down communication with their friends, turning inward rather than finding a way to resolve…
There is so much information out there on how to parent—or how not to! The question we often ask ourselves is, “Are we doing enough?” I would dare say we’re doing too much. In my work with older teens (ages 16-19) and young adults (ages 20-26), I would say we could all use some assistance when it comes to…
If you’ve been in the workforce much time at all, I’m sure you’ve noticed varied types of behavior from other employees. Some of this is simply due to individual personality traits. But other times, behavior may signal something deeper, such as a mental health issue. The conduct of co-workers is learned over time—after watching them…
Are you late almost everywhere you go? Do you see yourself coming and going? If so, you may be missing restful margins in your life. Margins are considered boundaries of protection for our souls against the craziness of society’s fast pace. Many of us are racing through a lifestyle where busyness and exhaustion are considered status…
Christmastime with extended family can be challenging! And if you have a relative (or two, or three) that you consider more naughty than nice, it’s often hard to have a “holly jolly Christmas.” However, Christ does call us to do what sometimes seems impossible to do. In Luke 6:27 Jesus says: “Love your enemies, do good to those who…
If you’re hoping for growth in more than vocabulary and math this school year in your kids, here are five areas where small shifts will create big differences. Car rides Conversations may normally happen face-to-face, but if you really want to get the words flowing, drive your kids somewhere and you’ll be amazed at what you learn. Either…
Raising children is a joyful experience for most parents. Holding a new “little bundle of joy” in their earliest days of life can be indescribable. It’s an experience most parents enjoy with overflowing love in their hearts. On the flip side, becoming a stepparent is sometimes a very different experience. In most cases, you don’t get…
People with substance dependences often tell concerned loved ones that they can handle it. In other words, “it” doesn’t control them. I think this mindset is true of most people with obsessions of any type. Perhaps you can say “No” to substances like drugs or alcohol but, what about food? Does it have a bite…