Do you remember game shows that offered tantalizing prizes if you just picked the right door? The contestants only ever had three choices: Door #1, Door #2, and Door #3. Well, real life is a lot like that. You only have three choices in any given situation. Not five, or ten, or even zero, even […]
If you give a child a choice
November 12, 2012 By 47 Comments
When was the last time you read the delightful children’s book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie? If you need a refresher or synopsis, the story revolves around the “what if” of giving a mouse a cookie, and the humorous consequences that just don’t stop, ultimately leaving the youthful main character exhausted on the floor. […]
The BEAGLE Theory of Life
November 5, 2012 By 29 Comments
Life’s lessons come to us in some unusual ways, but more often than not through rubbing up against those hard and unyielding sharp edges of the world. Such is the case with the B.E.A.G.L.E. Theory of Life. There was a pistol of a young man—Charlie Marston—who attended high school with my daughter. He had […]
What Ricochet the Dog teaches us about parenting
October 8, 2012 By 31 Comments
Are you familiar with the story of Ricochet the Dog? She began “school” as a young pup so that when she grew up she would be a Service dog for an individual with disabilities. There are parallels between what happened during her training and what can transpire as you raise your children. You have […]
Through grateful eyes: a fresh perspective
September 10, 2012 By 20 Comments
As a parent, you have probably experienced close calls and feelings of helplessness with your children. Your toddler disappears from the backyard. The police call to say that your teens have been in a car accident. Your daughter phones from across the ocean, sobbing about how a sadistic old woman—her host mother for her junior […]
Curiosity did not kill the cat;
it gave her room to breathe
August 27, 2012 By 30 Comments
You’ve probably had one of those days recently. If you haven’t, you figure you’re due. The tension in your body takes its toll, as does the constant slight holding of your breath, because you just know that other shoe is going to drop. It always does. And it’s going to hurt. “Mom! I told you I […]
Overwhelmed? 6 Steps to more peace-of-mind
August 20, 2012 By 69 Comments
The race is on again for a new week, and you and your mind are running at top speed, full out, and it’s not even 9:00am on Monday morning. Hubbie. House. Job. Laundry. Clean clothes. Ironed clothes. Lunches. Kids. Backpacks. Missing homework. Missing sports equipment. Get in the car. Let’s GO. We’re going to be […]
5 Secret Paths to the Heart of Your Family
August 13, 2012 By 24 Comments
Have you showered your family with expressions of your love, only to be left gasping in surprise after they’ve responded with an upended bucket of cold water? Welcome home, honey! I did the laundry, cleaned the house, and we’re having your favorite dinner. Go sit and relax for a bit, and I’ll hold the kids […]
Let go and allow them to grow
August 6, 2012 By 23 Comments
Your eyes glisten with tears as you grab for yet another tissue. You promised yourself and your family you wouldn’t cry, that you’d maintain your composure. After all, this is that moment when the baby you have cared for with such tenderness spreads their wings and begin to move forward into the wild, blue […]
Hearts and homes made new
July 23, 2012 By 29 Comments
You just had the MOST. AMAZING. EXPERIENCE. EVER. And you just can’t wait to tell your friends and family about it, because you know they will want to join you next time, once they hear how AWESOME it was. As you enthusiastically explain, they look at you as though you are crazy, that there can’t […]
