Parenting

• Middle School Blues

  The middle school years are tough on adolescents, and by extension, can also be rough on the whole family. Having guided two sons through those murky waters a few years back and now watching a daughter emerge from this age, I have learned a thing or two about the Middle School Blues.

• The Origin of Father’s Day

  Have you thought about what you are going to do to pay tribute to your father this coming Father’s Day? Perhaps there is someone in your life who is not your biological father and yet, they are a father figure to you. Either way, you may want to share the following story with those you love for the coming tribute to fathers everywhere.

• Activities to Make Father’s Day Special

  Father’s Day is a unique opportunity for dads and kids to step outside the norm, learn a bit more about each other, and have some fun in the process. Here is a list of activities for fathers to do with their sons and daughters on Father’s Day.

• Preparing For A Stepchild’s Summer Visit

  With the arrival of summer, stepfamilies across the U.S. are gearing up for visits from stepchildren. Often, a child who lives with her mother will spend some or all of the summer with Dad, Stepmom and their family, says Susan Wisdom, co-author of the book Stepcoupling and a licensed professional counselor in Portland, Ore. who specializes in stepfamilies.

• Taking Your Kids Perspective

  If you’re a father who’s really honest with yourself, you’ll acknowledge that much of the judgment and criticism that you have towards your kids is really your own critical judgment about yourself. It’s usually easier to be critical of your kids than to turn the spotlight on yourself, isn’t it? If you’re not careful as a father, you may run the risk of “teaching” your kids low self-esteem through your criticism and judgment of them.

• Ten Reasons to Tell your Kids Stories

  In today’s busy world, many parents have lost the art of telling their stories to their kids. Here are some reasons why these stories are so beneficial.

• A Chance For A Home

  Home. Family. Backyard cookouts. A table laden with more than we can eat on Thanksgiving day. These things ground us, offer us stability, and give us an environment where we can learn, explore, grow, and even self-actualize. Yet for 210 million children, these basic human needs will never be met because most of these children will come of age in an institution, never knowing a family, never experiencing the warmth, joy and acceptance of a home environment.

• Top Ten Ways To Be A Better Father

  The expectations for fathers are increasing both at work and at home. Here are ten ways for fathers to be more effective in the most important job they’ll ever have.