When a Child is Defiant
“Ok, time to get in your car seat.” This statement was made in a very even, calm voice. It was not a new demand. In fact, I had said it every day—sometimes three times a day—for the last two years.…
Privilege of Freedom: The Privilege of Consequences Part 2
Managing Real World Challenges Boy Meets World was a teen drama in the 90s that followed a young man through the ups and downs of adolescence from middle school to college. In the season where Cory (the lead protagonist) is…
Privilege of Freedom: The Privilege of Consequences Part 1
“I recognize this world. We practiced for it at home.” These words are the bold declaration of a young man waving good-bye to his parents as he heads out into the real world—to college, to the military, or to work…
Privilege of Freedom: The Privilege of Giving Choices
Freedom to Learn the Privilege of Choice What to make better decisions? Make a few bad ones. Generally speaking, the best learning occurs when we make a poor choice, are allowed to suffer the consequences, and get some guidance from…
Privilege of Freedom: The Freedom of Childhood
When Structure Isn’t Enough – Fostering Unstructured Play in a Highly Structured World Ah, those glorious, carefree days of childhood play. Thinking back to childhood, what do you remember? If we could go to the future and ask children what…
The Difference a Dad Makes: Poverty, Crime, and Violence
I think most of us recognize that dads are important to their kids, but I don’t think most of us imagine just how critical they are. Recently, I read a new book, The Boy Crisis: Why Our Boys Are Struggling…
Fatherhood and Mental Health
I was fortunate enough to grow up with a father who was responsible, worked hard, had integrity, and made time for his family. At the time I did not comprehend the intentionality he had to take care of himself so…
The Difference A Dad Makes: Physical Health
Why Dads Matter to Child Health and Behavioral-Health Related Outcomes 1. Children with father loss have, by the age of nine, a 14% reduction in telomere length—the most reliable predictors of life expectancy. In addition, the telomere loss is 40%…
Read Me a Story…
From the time they are very young, children often love nothing better than to have a parent read to them. It doesn’t matter how many times they’ve heard the same story, if they’re younger than three or four, they want…
Are we There Yet?
Taking a road trip with your kids can be an unforgettable experience. The open road leads to endless possibilities and a chance not only to bond with your children, but also create memories that last a lifetime. But the road…