My best friend from high school is a first time dad and he is about to have his first child. Having four kids, there are a lot of things that I want to tell him, but some things you just have to let first-time parents learn on their own. You have to be the…
Why you need to tuck your kids in at night
I want to tell you why you need to tuck your kids in at night, and its not why you may think. Its not because you are “just supposed to”. It is not simply because you want to give them a goodnight kiss, or because you are just trying to cover them up to keep…
What I need to tell him before he is 10
If you told me that I had kids that were old enough to write this post, I’d tell you that you were crazy… but to tell me that I have more than one child old enough to write this? Wow. That’s how fast time sneaks up on you. One day they are toddlers wanting to…
Teaching your child to lead
Becky and I have one goal when raising our kids – that we raise them to be helpful, kind, generous adults. That they lead their own families and friends to do the same. We want them to take the initiative to stand up for what they believe in, but the sense to stop and listen…
Too Much Tech and Not Enough Play
Today kids all are about being entertained. They have iPods, iMacs, iPads, Dad’s iPhone, Mom’s iPhone leapsters, leap pads, playstation, X Box, Wii, etc…Too much Tech and not enough Play. We need to connect with our kids instead of letting them connect to other things! What happens when you take your kids technology away from them? Have…
It isn’t what we give them … but the time we spend with them that matters
It isn’t what we give them … but the time we spend with them. that matters. It is what they want and need, even if they don’t know it. I really believe this and I want to encourage you today. When I was younger, my parents had to work so hard, multiple jobs to help my brother…
Helping kids make healthy choices
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Ivory. The opinions and text are all mine. Every day we are faced with little choices to make on behalf of our family: fruit or cookies, board game or video game, homework or relaxation, chemical cleaners or natural cleaners, perfumed body wash or pure…
Give children what they need
Growing up, I always had what I needed, not always what I “wanted” or at least that is what I thought. This was a hard concept to understand, as a child, especially when everyone was (and is) trying to keep up with the Jones’s. So how can we give our children what they “need” and what they “want”?…
Things a Dad needs to know about raising boys
As the dad of three boys, I’ve learned a thing or two about what a dad needs to know about raising boys. I’ve always known what I thought I should teach them, being just my brother and I growing up. I’ve figured out what a dad needs to know about raising girls, too….
New ELF on the SHELF ideas
Every night, our Elf gets super creative, coming up with all sorts of new ideas. They are so funny that Becky and I are posting them on our Instagram pages. Plus, our kids are so excited. Yesterday, our oldest told me that he is so glad that our Elf lives at our house, because some…
