Finding Toothpaste Peace

Posted on October 20, 2008 
Filed Under Humor, Life, Marriage, Parenting | 1 Comment

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

Posted on October 16, 2008 
Filed Under Life, Parenting | 4 Comments

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

Posted on October 14, 2008 
Filed Under Life, Marriage, Parenting | 3 Comments

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

Posted on October 13, 2008 
Filed Under Life | 3 Comments

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!

Posted on October 12, 2008 
Filed Under Focus on the Family, Life, Marriage, Personal, Social Issues, Spiritual Life | Leave a Comment

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

Posted on October 10, 2008 
Filed Under Dr. Dobson's Broadcast, Humor, Life, Parenting, Social Issues, Spiritual Life | 3 Comments

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

Posted on October 10, 2008 
Filed Under Fathering, Life, Parenting | Leave a Comment

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?

Posted on October 8, 2008 
Filed Under Life, Parenting, Physical Health | 5 Comments

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.

In A Tough Economy…

Posted on October 7, 2008 
Filed Under Life, Misc, Social Issues | 2 Comments

…many people can looking for sound advice on keeping a budget and avoiding financial ruin. Here’s a helpful guide, offering wise counsel on money management through life’s stages, charitable giving, investments, debt management and retirement.

 f01058b_dt.jpg

 

 

 

Dads Of Larger Families

Posted on October 7, 2008 
Filed Under Fathering, Life, Parenting, Personal, Photo | 2 Comments

Talking recently to a co-worker who has seven children, I became aware of how tiring it can be to parent a larger family. Sometimes it feels like a merry-go-round, or a carnival ride that just keeps going in circles…and I can’t get off!

I am pretty familiar first-hand with the difficulties in balancing time between work and my family relationships. How can I find the moments to meaningfully connect with first my wife and then each of my children? This is a responsibility I take seriously. I believe God has called me to be my family’s loving leader and I am increasingly aware of the long-term impact of my parenting. It is a struggle for me which requires continual evaluation, reflection, prayer, thought and action.  Life is full, I am busy, and humanly speaking, I can’t pull this thing off. God, help me do this well!

Anyway, just had a quick conversation with a co-worker, Mike, who has a very daunting task. He has a larger family, and the financial strain he deals with is significant.

Mike is working full time at the office. To supplement the family’s income, he delivers newspapers every day. That requires him to rise very early each morning. And now with tax season approaching, he will soon be spending increasing hours preparing taxes for others. Three jobs!

As he described his schedule, I realized that however pulled in many directions I am feeling, Mike is stretched far more. While I may be tired, he is exhausted. I am blessed to have but one job, and we are able to make it on that income, but Mike works three different jobs to provide for his family’s needs.

“How do you find time to be with your family?” I asked. Well, he said, he has Sundays off, and a couple of evenings are free.

I queried, “I have a difficult time engaging with and leading my family. How do YOU do it?” Mike looked at me, smiled weakly, and said he tries as best he can.

After that conversation, I thanked God for my own situation, and with a conviction that I have little room to complain about being short on time and tired! I can only hope that I will be the husband and daddy my wife and kids need.

So my prayer is that I’ll have the energy and wisdom to engage my family, interact with them, and lead well. Let me go home tonight and provide the emotional support with strength, guide the table talk with purpose, and demonstrate love in meaningful ways to each member of my family. Guess I’d better start making that transition, from “Mr. Office” to “Mr. Husband and Dad” as I drive home this evening.

To other Dads, what about you? If you have several children, how do you balance your time? How do you meet all the needs?  Do you have any balance in life?

← Previous Page — Next Page →