Gen Y At Work

I’m surrounded by a wonderful mix of co-workers, many of whom are slightly older than me, or about my age (hard to believe, I know, but I am approaching 50!).  I also enjoy being around a younger generation of folks who are in their mid-20s to late-30s. This later group is classified by some sociologists as “Generation Y.” And they have different work expectations, for the most part, than those who are in their 40s and 50s.

Here’s an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal about how Gen Y’ers expect to interact with their employers.

What do you think?

Just wondering.

Freedom From Chronic Dieting

On a recent Focus on the Family broadcast, Constance Rhodes, a lay-expert on eating disorders, shared about her painful ten-year struggle with chronic dieting and eating disorders.  If you’ve spent a significant amount of time in the last week worrying about what you eat and thinking about your weight, you may want to click here to take some self tests we’ve excerpted from Constance’s book: Life Inside the “Thin” Cage.

Finding Toothpaste Peace

This little item is sure to help bring peace to your home. No more conflict about how to squeeze the tube!

Your Thoughts Needed: Moms and Blogs

In a recent research study, “Gen Y” moms said they prefer to get parenting information from blogs.

Is that true in your home? If so, why? And, what blogs do you go to for parenting help?

Stay-At-Home Moms Are Happy

istock_000002408491medium.jpgWhat do you think? Do Moms with no incomes have the same “power” in their marriages as working women with regard to decision-making — and ultimately, in their happiness?

One of feminism’s assumptions is that a stay-at-home mom lacks “decision-making powers.” The suggestion is that a woman with an independent income source has more say about things in her marriage than a woman who stays-at-home and (presumably) has no income apart from her husband.

To the contrary, Megan Basham writes in the Wall Street Journal that stay-at-home Moms tend to enjoy as much - or more - “power” than working women in their marriages. And that leads to more marital satisfaction:

Not surprisingly, one reason men say they are willing to acquiesce in their spouses’ wishes is that their wives usually have greater knowledge of the day-to-day activities and needs of the home than they do. They trust their wives’ choices the way they would any specialist’s. But what is rather unexpected is the deeper (and much sweeter) reason men have for giving in to their wives: They want them to be happy, or at least they don’t want to be responsible for making them unhappy.

Interesting stuff!

If you are a stay-at-home Mom, read the article and then come back to tell me if you relate to Ms. Basham’s observations…or if you think otherwise.

How To Help A Hurting Family

fabry.jpgOur friend Chris Fabry, who fills in for me occasionally as co-host of the Focus on the Family radio broadcast, has nine children. The Fabry family recently had a tragic situation occur: They had to leave their house and most everything they own — forever. A serious mold situation required drastic measures, and yet, through this difficult time, Chris shares that God is at work - in their lives, and through others.

Listen to Chris tell the story at the start of his October 6 radio program, heard on Moody Broadcasting stations across the U.S.

Here’s Chris’ blog, in which he shares updates.

While God is supplying a lot of their immediate needs, there is a lot the Fabry’s will have to buy in the future — especially as the Rocky Mountain winter comes roaring in! If you would like to help Chris and Andrea in a tangible way, gift cards (from national retail and food establishments) will be forwarded directly to them (please do NOT send cash or checks).  The gift cards can be sent to our partners at Moody Bible Institute, for whom Chris and Andrea have worked for many years:

Moody Radio Chicago
Attention:  Amy Rios
820 N. LaSalle Dr.
Chicago, Il 60610

Keep Giving!

Here are some excellent suggestions from expert advisor Ron Blue about dealing with the uncertainties of today’s financial world.

One thing I especially appreciated:  Don’t decrease your charitable giving. Giving should be the first priority use of money, because it is recognition of God’s ownership of everything.

WIR: Oct 10

This past week, Dr. Dobson’s radio broadcast has featured an illiterate teacher who learned to read in his 30s, a best-selling author who lived as an atheist for 38 years, and a gifted communicator who talks to thousands of teens every week - and addressed one of the most common concerns of young people (true love). What an interesting mix of people - and each one had some tremendous stories to share with our audience!

Next week: How the present financial crisis came about, how it is impacting families like yours, and what you can do about it.

Friday Five: Five Unique Kids

Dena and I are fortunate to have five wonderful children still living at home. While Big Brother is off at college,  the remaining siblings carry on with various family traditions and keeping things, er, interesting. Here is one observation about each of those five:

Seth is tall, really tall, and enjoying his friends, basketball, and schoolwork (in that order, too).

Allie is tall, too, and is gifted with an artistic sensibility and flair; a natural “drama queen.”

Saige is exceptionally bright and articulate. Good with words and numbers, she is also a gifted “drama queen.”

Tauvi is wonderfully content, very flexible and accepting, and an eager student of nature. She is also a natural “drama queen.”

Zane is  determined and a very good little problem solver (although I don’t always appreciate his solutions to problems!).

Now, don’t get me wrong, despite the many positive traits they have, my kids are very (very!) normal children, with the same issues and challenges as most other kids I’ve met. The four oldest have trusted in Christ and are growing spiritually, and in my book, that is the most important part of their lives - and the most significant thing to know about them.
While we are pretty tired parents, we’re grateful to God for each child He has given.

What’d You Eat For Breakfast?

I grew up on a diet full of Cap’n Crunch, Cocoa Puffs and Pop Tarts. Not exactly a great way to start the day, and I have more than my share of dental fillings as a result of those and other sugar-laden foods as a kid. But hey, they were quick, readily available, and I liked ‘em!

What did you routinely have for breakfast as a kid?

These days, I am more moderate in my food choices, opting for a balance of carbs and protein. For the most part, I avoid empty calories. I do have my morning coffee, but I drink it black.

We serve our children a lot of whole grains, and when we do have cereal, it is from the organics section of the health food store.  Lest you think us harsh, we DO let the kids have the sweeter cereals when we travel.

Pre-packaged, processed cereals remain a popular breakfast food these days. There’s a new report about the best - and worst - of the bunch. No big surprises.  Here’s an article that lists some of the winners (and losers!), and offers some good, common-sense breakfast ideas for busy parents to try.

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