Live Better. Love More.
Leave A Legacy.

There are a lot of parents experiencing varying degrees of anxiety and/or heartache this time of year. Some are sending a child off to school for the first time. Others are helping a young adult leave home for college. It’s bittersweet at best—exciting to see our kids grow yet tough to let them go.

Courtesy Steven Jones

Gail and I watched our oldest son, Josh, his wife, Becka, and their four kids (four of our five grandkids!) roll out of town this week for California. At 5:00am their van headed out of the driveway without much fanfare. Just teary-eyed parents. We are emotionally raw yet we’ve never been prouder.

Mealtime together as a family should be a daily non-negotiable. It serves as the rallying point for conversation—for sharing information, encouragement, and laughter. It’s a fabulous family culture-building opportunity.

Courtesy 123RF/Cathy Yeulet

However, without a few guidelines, the family table can become nothing more than the distribution point for food. Family members coming and going as is convenient to them, quickly eating, then on their separate ways with little interaction.

I remember as a teenager the rules, curfews, and limitations my parents had established. I also remembering wondering why my friends who had lenient parents always wanted to be over at my house!

Courtesy 123RF/Julija Sapic

At the time, I didn’t understand why my friends didn’t take advantage of the liberty they experienced. I didn’t appreciate that the boundaries my parents set were actually a sign of love. And I’m convinced that those boundaries protected me more times than I can count.

Few things are as reassuring in uncertain times as Dad’s presence. Even if the relationship is strained, when the chips are down, Dad on the scene makes everything seem better.

Yet Dads are busy guys. Most vocations require Dads to be away from the family a big portion of most days. Is there a way to maintain that security of Dad’s presence even when not physically present?

We are often asked, “How do you help each child in your family to feel valuable?” This is particularly important to parents who have more than one child. Although children shouldn’t feel that the world spins around them, every child should feel appreciated and valued as a member of the family.

Courtesy 123RF/Jozef Polc

Some children have very outgoing and vibrant personalities. This causes those around them to recognize their talents easily. But, other children are more laid back, and you must dig to find those golden nuggets and draw them out for all to see. Recognizing each child’s uniqueness is an essential part of family life.

Have you ever given something to your child that you thought would be a big deal, but he just takes it and moves along? Most likely you have, and you’re probably reliving a flurry of emotions just thinking about it. Will you be inclined to give him anything else in the near future? Probably not.

Courtesy 123RF.com/Mikkel Bigandt

Children can quickly develop a mindset of entitlement. It’s not a glamorous trait. Yet it will become ingrained if we as parents don’t train them to be thankful. As with most character training, it starts with simple things.

One of the more common questions used by interviewers is, “Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your younger self today if you could?” It’s a great question and I always love hearing others’ answers. There is something very powerful about hindsight.

I often get complimented on my sons and daughters, now adults. There’s usually a similar follow-up question like, “What did you do to enjoy the kind of family you have now?” Gail and I have asked ourselves that many times. But for the grace of God…

Before you fill up your kids’ summer schedule with camps, sports practices and games, and multiple Vacation Bible Schools, take a moment and consider the possibility of a more relaxed and memorable summer break this year.

Courtesy momitforward.com

Sending the kids off to experience summer with their peers can certainly be a fun part of summer. Yet too many parents miss out on this amazing opportunity to spend time together making great memories.