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3 Great Ways to Handle Drama
The man behind me at the grocery checkout was on his phone with his daughter—and clearly having a hard time getting a word in edgewise. “No, honey, I—” [pause as […]
What Happens When God Interrupts Us In The Midst Of Our Stress?
We’re heading into that crazy busy time of year known as the holiday season. And according to the store decorations, the holiday music on the radio, and multiple social media […]
This One Thing Makes a Huge Difference for Your Teen
Parents, I have some encouraging news for you. Although we’re all suffering from just a smidge of PTSD this year, we have also learned some really important lessons. And I’m […]
4 Ways to Make Your Child’s Day
Believe it or not, the answer is not announcing, “A free day off school!” (Although I’m sure that would work too!) The answer is far more subtle—and much more profound. […]
Tips For Talking to Your Teen About Schedule Overload
The new school year is in full swing (wait, didn’t we just take those “first day of school” pictures yesterday?) and chances are you’re in full-on schedule management and chauffeur […]
How to Encourage Your Teen to Talk to You More
Summer is over and school is back in session! (Although here in the South, we’re still in the high 90’s and feeling nowhere near fall-like!) And our teens, like it […]
Parenting Teens with Love and Logic: Preparing Adolescents for Responsible Adulthood by Foster Cline, MD and Jim Fay
Parents need help to teach their teens how to make decisions responsibly—and do so without going crazy or damaging the relationship. Parenting Teens with Love and Logic, from the duo who […]
In the Wake of the Recent College Cheating Scandal
Unless you’ve been holed up under a rock (I’m in “Cave Mode” while writing a book—and even I know about this doozey of a scandal!), you will have heard, read, […]
Help Your Teen Avoid Social Media Comparison
Erica’s teenage daughter took out her phone for her daily ritual—taking photos of her outfit possibilities before school and waiting to see which one got the most likes before deciding […]
The Best Parenting Advice I Ever Received
We recently celebrated our son’s 16th birthday. Trust me, Jeff and I spent more than a few moments wondering where the time had gone. How was it that we now […]
5 Easy Ways a Dad Can Connect With His Teen Daughter’s Heart
**This article is part of our August and September 2018 Guest Blog series. During a particular intense ‘sandwich generation’ season (launching my daughter to college and my son to high […]
Maintain Your Schedule Sanity While Supporting Your Teen’s Success
It’s back-to-school season, and with the new school year kids will have the chance to get involved in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities. Sometimes it’s like pulling teeth to […]
What To Say To Your Teenage Son When He’s Struggling (Hint: it’s not “Man up!”)
Now that the new school year is upon us, I’m reminded of a woman who wrote in to ask for advice on dealing with her oldest son who was having […]
4 Truths You Need to Know About Your Son and Visual Temptation
Even after years of being a social researcher and learning what is in the hearts and minds of men and boys, I just wasn’t ready when my pre-teen son began […]
4 Crucial Things Daughters Need To Hear from their Dads
The daddy/daughter dances. The skinned knees and kissed boo-boos. Watching recitals, cheering at games, drying tears after first break-ups. Dads, we know you love your daughter. And you know you […]
3 Things Every Boy Needs to Hear from His Mom
Can anyone relate to that feeling of whiplash when you realize your little boy has suddenly become a teenager? How did that happen? When did “snips and snails and puppy-dogs’ […]
What To Do When You Think Your Teen Has Lost the Faith
What looks like rejection of faith may not actually be a statement of firm belief. It may truly be a question in disguise.
Does Your Kid Make You Feel Like You Can Do Nothing Right?
(a special guest post by Debbie Hitchcock) Last week I felt like everything I did for one of my kids was met with sarcasm, frustration, or anger. The typical jokes we […]
How to Help Your Son Fight These Three Dangerous Lies
As both a social researcher who has interviewed and surveyed thousands of boys and a mom of a son, I’ve seen three common – and very harmful – things boys tend […]
How to Fix Teenage Attitude Problems …. Without Losing It
Not that this ever happens to you. But every now and then our kids (girls and boys) might perhaps display a little attitude. Perhaps it’s an eye roll, a derisive tone, […]
Six Tips from Coaches: How to be a Good Sports Parent
The other day at a huge high school sports event, I watched a large, loud dad yelling at a ref. On the sidelines, the coach looked furious. Being abusive to […]
Are Legos Just For Boys? It’s Complicated.
One of the things that years of research with men and women, boys and girls, has taught me is that the genders are just (gasp!) different. It always stuns me […]
Two Practical Ways to Encourage Your Sons
Many boys these days go through challenging times that are not of their making, and yet they affect how our sons view themselves. Every day, boys experience challenges at school […]
3 Things Every Boy Needs From His Mom
In more than a decade of research with thousands of men and boys over the years, one thing that has stood out is the power of a mom’s words to […]
Moms, encourage your sons with three essential phrases.
In more than a decade of research with thousands of men and boys over the years, one thing that has stood out is the power of a mom’s words to […]
How to respond to teenager attitude without losing your mind
Not that this ever happens. But every now and then our kids (girls and boys) might perhaps display a little attitude. Perhaps it’s an eye roll, a derisive tone, a […]
Dads, say this to your daughters
Dads, we know you love your daughter. And you know you love your daughter. But you might be surprised at much she needs to hear it. In the research with […]
Every Work-From-Home Parent’s Hilarious Nightmare
So there you are, in your best suit, giving a Skype video presentation in your best professional manner – and thankful that the people on the other end can’t tell […]
2 Things to Do if You Want Your Teen to Talk to You
“How was school?” (Shrug.) “Fine.” “What did you do?” “Nothin’.” If this sounds familiar, join the club! Not only do I have two teenagers, but I’ve interviewed and surveyed about 3,000 […]
3 things to do when your kid rolls her eyes at you
Not that this ever happens. But every now and then our kids (girls and boys) might perhaps display a little attitude. Perhaps it’s an eye roll, a derisive tone, a sudden […]
Two great ways to boost your son's self-esteem
Many boys these days go through challenging times that are not of their making, and yet they affect how our sons view themselves. Every day, boys experience challenges at school […]
Calling All Moms! Apply "respect talk" to your sons.
I’m so excited about Dr. Emerson Eggerichs’s latest book, Mother and Son! Our whole team loves Emerson’s work. Enjoy his guest blog post below: I have a favor to ask of mothers who […]
Dads: Four Phrases a Daughter Needs to Hear From You
Dads, we know you love your daughter. And you know you love your daughter. But you might be surprised at much she needs to hear it. In the research with […]
Moms: 4 things your son secretly wishes you knew about his temptations
Moms: 4 things your son secretly wishes you knew about his temptations Even after years of researching what is in the heart and mind of men and boys, I still […]
We're a fan of iDisciple – and we think you will be, too!
We’re a fan of iDisciple – and we think you will be, too! Check out iDisciple, a platform that provides an engaging on-the-go resource for growing closer to Christ. We hope you […]
My ADD son is checking out in school
Dear Shaunti, My 6th-grade son is discouraged in school and I’m worried he’s starting to check out. He tries hard, but he has some learning issues (like ADD) that create real […]
My Kids Are Freaked Out About the Shemitah
Dear Shaunti, Recently my husband and I read Jonathan Cahn’s book The Harbinger, so we’re attuned to the signals of a “shaking” coming in our country. Financial markets are tanking […]
Play It Subtle When Talking With Teens
Dear Shaunti, I was driving my 16-year-old daughter home from volleyball practice recently when she brought up a funny comment made by one of the guys she knows at school. […]
Bikinis, Boys, and Back to School Clothes
As I write this, I am sitting at the pool watching two twelve-year-old boys – my son and a friend – try not to stare at a gaggle of shapely teenage girls […]
How do I deflate my teenage son’s oversized ego and curb the cockiness?
Dear Shaunti, I’m a single mom to two teenage boys, and because their dad was an arrogant man I’m highly sensitive to teenage cockiness. I really want to teach the […]
When State Says Pot is OK, How Do I Convince My Child It Isn’t?
Dear Shaunti, We live in Colorado, where pot is now visible on every corner. For my teenagers, seeing someone smoking pot is as now as commonplace as seeing someone smoking […]
How can I get my teen to STOP relying on social media so much?
My kids’ obsession with Instagram and other social media has gotten to ridiculous levels. My teenage daughter takes photos of her outfits before she goes to school and wears the […]
Drama-Free Guarantee: Talking to Teenage Boys
Dear Shaunti, My oldest son is having a tough first year of high school – leaving his old friends, trying to make new ones, and dealing with some unfair teachers. […]
What Does It Mean to Lead Your Daughter Spiritually?
What Does It Mean to Lead Your Daughter Spiritually? Guest post by Dr. Michelle J. Watson. Dads…I realize that I may be treading on sacred ground here as I provide […]
Conquer the Calendar Without Crushing Your Kids
Dear Shaunti, My 8th grade son is getting involved in extra-curricular activities for the first time, finding out what he likes and making friends in a way he hasn’t before. […]
The Father Wound of Anger
The Father Wound of ANGER Guest post by Michelle J. Watson, PhD, LPC drmichellewatson.com If you were to walk up to me and ask, “Michelle, if you could give me […]
Discuss With Your Daughters: Miss America’s Red Cup and Being Yourself
Did you catch the Miss America pageant this weekend? A large percentage of the population missed it, either accidentally or on purpose –so did we!—but the social media world exploded […]
And the Oscar Goes To…My Teen Drama Queen
Dear Shaunti, I love my teenage daughter but how do I get her to stop being such a drama queen? Everything is a big tear-fest. She begged to play volleyball […]
Prince Charming Wasn't a Quarterback: Giving Your Son Confidence (Even though He's Not Mr. Popular)
Dear Shaunti, My 17 year-old son has a great sense of humor, and is fun to be around, but he doesn’t have a lot of confidence with girls because he’s […]
Your Teen Is Watching Even If She Doesn't Seem to Be Listening
Dear Shaunti, My daughter is 15 years old and I am worried that she is starting to push away not just from her dad and me but also from some […]