Tag Archive for: happiness

K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple from the Start

Yesterday, I had the very entertaining opportunity to participate in morning drop-off at a local pre-school. In my capacity at the door, I observed several parenting styles at work – some I thought were quite efficient, and some I observed…

Happy Parents = Happy Kids

I wrote “Raising Children That Other People Like to be Around” because, after 36 years of marriage and 4 children, I believe that being good parents requires us to set a good example – and having a good relationship is the first, most…

Are You a WIMPY Parent ?

Here are five quick tests: Do you…let your children boss you around?   (Do they say things like “Where’s my breakfast?”) Do you…make excuses for your children? (“She would have said ‘Thank you.’ but she was too busy playing.”) Are…

“The Circle Game”

As my children have gotten older and more self-sufficient, I’ve seen them become more “objective” about the hard-earned advice I offer.  They no longer hear my voice as if it were thunder on the mountaintop.  As my role in their lives…

5 Easy Parenting Resolutions

Here are 5 do-able resolutions that can help you and your family make the most of the coming year. 1. Ambush Your Kids With Something Positive Every Day I was recently speaking at an elementary school when one of the parents asked about consequences…

5 Things Every Husband (and Father) Should Know

As this week marks the thirty-sixth year of my marriage, I thought I’d try to offer some of the little lessons I have learned through co-habitation. None of us is entitled to the “perfect” partner.  We just don’t come out of the box…

HOLIDAY HEADS UP

It’s November now, the month of Thanksgiving (one of my two faves (4th of July being the other)). November is also the month when our children start rehearsing seriously for their school Holiday Programs.  Singing, dancing, holding signs…

THE EMPTY NEST – FINALLY !

I’m a guy.   I like my space.   I like my stuff.   I love my wife. For the first time in thirty three years I have them all back to myself. Yes, the Dropoff at school was successful and it appears our adorable daughter will merge into…

100% MAXIMUM LOVE

I have a friend who feels that when her little brother was born, he “stole” all the love and affection that her parents had previously been giving to her. I suspect that this is a common feeling among first-born children.  In this case,…

MISHAPS AND MILESTONES

MISHAPS AND MILESTONES Yesterday I had the pleasure of sitting next to an adorable two-year-old named Amelia and her loving parents.  Proactively, her mom pointed out that the small cuts Amelia had on her upper lip and nose were the result…