Psychology Today reported that the average adult makes approximately 35,000 decisions each day. Children make approximately 3,000 decisions each day. Talk about decision fatigue! The truth is, consciously or subconsciously, we make decisions every minute of every day. The same is true for our teenagers. As our children become less dependent upon us as parents … [Read more...]
The Winning Family: Four Stages of Marriage
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average length of marriage that ends in divorce is just eight years. In my experience working with married couples over the past 25 years, I have found that there are four stages in a marriage relationship. Unfortunately, most couples never get past stage two. What are the four stages of marriage? Stage 1: Thrill Every couple … [Read more...]
The Winning Family: The 4 Seasons of Parenting
One of the things my wife and I personally experienced in our parenting journey is that there are not only different parenting stages and phases we go through, but there are parenting seasons we encounter as well. Just like nature cycles through different seasons again and again, so does our parenting. To use the metaphor of the natural seasons we … [Read more...]
The Winning Family: The Secret To Your Child’s Success This School Year
As students and teachers return to school, the unknown factors of a new school year can cause all kinds of mixed emotions, from excitement to anxiety. If there is one factor that will determine your child's success, it's encouragement. Encouragement is oxygen for our souls. Who doesn't need or want encouragement? As we seek to encourage our kids, remember that our words can … [Read more...]
The Winning Family: What Do You Value As a Family?
The Wall Street Journal recently featured disturbing results from a national opinion poll on views toward faith, family values, patriotism, hard work and community involvement. Americans' priority for each of these appears to have dropped dramatically over the last few decades. The only value/priority that has increased is America's love of money. They indicate that from … [Read more...]