30Sep 2018 by CJ
Parents – giving your children what they want is not the answer

Parents – giving your children what they want is not the answer

Youth
“Some parents feel like it is their duty to fulfill all or most of the wants of their children. Sometimes it is because they lacked things as a child and want to make up for their own loss, or they believe that their children will love and appreciate them more if they give them everything they want.” – Matthew Whoolery When my wife was a little girl, and began losing her baby teeth, she asked her mother why she was only getting 50 cents from The Tooth Fairy when most of her friends were getting a dollar. Her mother reminded her to be grateful for anything she was given and not to expect more. Well, the next time she lost a tooth and put it under her pillow for The…
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16Sep 2018 by CJ
Gender roles have no place in successful parenting

Gender roles have no place in successful parenting

Youth
“It’s time to teach good gender roles and to ditch the unnecessary ones.” – Dan Pearce There are many subjects I have strong opinions on (as you probably can tell from this blog). One which often infuriates me is our society’s antiquated and stereotypical beliefs when it comes to gender roles. Dan Pearce writes a wonderfully honest and truly inspiring blog entitled Single Dad Laughing, and I’ve come to appreciate his message on a range of topics regarding parenting, love and the human connection. While searching online for information surrounding the topic of gender roles in society today, the following passage popped up and immediately caught my attention. “Dads. It’s time to show our sons how to properly treat a woman. It’s time to show our daughters how a girl…
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30Jan 2018 by CJ

Being scared really means you’re doing something brave

Life & Living, Youth
“It’s OKAY to be scared. Being scared means you’re about to do something really, really brave.” ― Mandy Hale Many of us support the notion that “being scared” is only experienced by children who believe there are monsters hiding under the bed. While I agree that the fear of monsters, and other frightening creatures conjured up by our overactive imagination, disappears as we get older, that doesn’t mean we no longer know what it’s like to be scared. You may not know what it’s called, but all of us have a comfort zone. Author and thought leader Roy T. Bennett says, “The comfort zone is a psychological state in which one feels familiar, safe, at ease and secure.” Breaking away from what’s familiar and safe can often be emotionally crippling to adults.…
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21Jan 2018 by CJ

Influence your children by example – they’re always watching

Youth
“Although parents can’t ultimately determine the outcome of their children, they do have a tremendous influence on them.” – Scott Turansky Recently, while flipping through a collection of old family photos, I realized how many people were a positive influence on my life. It’s a fact that our actions and behaviors are often the direct influence of someone we revere. For many of us, that influence comes from our very first teachers in life – our parents. As children, we often take on the characteristics of our parents – not surprising given that our parents are the first role models we see when forming behaviors (both good and bad). Our parents’ tolerance and biases; their likes and dislikes – all begin to influence the adults we’ll eventually become. But perhaps…
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22Nov 2017 by CJ

Secret of giving – what are you teaching your children?

Generosity & Kindness, Youth
“Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.” - John D. Rockefeller Jr. I think Rockefeller’s quote truly defines the secret of giving. For if you have the privilege to give to someone less fortunate, that means your life is blessed with abundance. But where do we learn this secret of giving from? I think it’s important to realize that some individuals (okay, a lot of individuals) simply don’t possess any genuine compassion towards others. Their view of life is so narrowly focused on their own agenda that they rarely, if ever, consider doing something for the betterment of someone else. The secret of giving is truly lost on them. But I was given a little hope last night. Hope that there are still people out there who…
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