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Sep3

Just Say No (So You Can Say Yes)

Posted by Carey Nieuwhof

Life gets complicated quickly for parents.  As if raising toddlers wasn’t demanding enough, it gets even trickier as your kids get older. Once they hit school…they develop lives. They make new friends, have sleep overs, join clubs, take lessons, play sports and soon, whatever free time you had evaporates into thin air.
As a parent, you… [read more]

Sep1

Prioritizing the Important

Posted by Carey Nieuwhof

I caught this shot last month while on vacation with my family in Haliburton, Ontario.  Everyone else was asleep that morning.  I slipped out of our cabin and saw the sunrise.
I used to feel guilty about doing things like this.  Why?  Well,  if you have my wiring, getting up early might mean taking a nap later… [read more]

Aug30

Morning Light

Posted by Reggie Joiner

I am not a morning person. I used to have a lot of statements to defend sleeping late. But somewhere along the way, I learned the value of not always missing the first part of the day. When I started writing books, I made a personal discovery about morning time. I can think more clearly… [read more]

Aug27

Leave Family Baggage at Home

Posted by Reggie Joiner

Lesson #3 to Parents of Brides and Grooms: Leave family baggage at home.
Here is one thing that is sure to pour cold water on the excitement and joy of your child’s wedding day – trying to resolve unsettled family issues. Every family probably has unresolved matters that could tend to show up on the wedding day…. [read more]

Aug25

Let the Bride Decide

Posted by Reggie Joiner

Lesson #2 to Parents: Let the bride decide.
I’m not suggesting that she gets to decide the budget. Coming up with a reasonable budget is definitely a family matter. But the bride should be the one who decides how to allocate the budget. Treat her as if she is the CEO of this wedding. Depending on… [read more]

Aug23

Parents of the Bride & Groom

Posted by Reggie Joiner

I have seen weddings from a number of viewpoints. I usually officiate them. Sometimes I even get to photograph them as a second shooter for some incredible wedding photographers. I have done premarital counseling for a host of couples and stood at the altar hundreds of times by a nervous groom. After countless wedding… [read more]

Aug20

Looking Back…with My Dad

Posted by Carey Nieuwhof

In the spirit of Reggie’s post, Looking Back, I want to reflect today on what I might do differently if I could start raising my kids all over again.  But we thought it would be fun to draw my dad, Marten, into the conversation. He was (and is) a great dad, but we both… [read more]

Aug17

Looking Back

Posted by Reggie Joiner

We have gone to the same area of Florida beaches almost every year as a family. I took this picture this summer looking out across a scene that has pretty much stayed the same for the past 30 years. It made me think about my younger days as a parent. This is going to sound… [read more]

Aug13

Keeping Focused

Posted by Orange Parent

“I (Reggie) recently sat down to summarize a few truths I want to remember about parenting, just so I could stay focused. I’m not suggesting this is a comprehensive list. It is just my own list of parenting priorities:
• What matters more than anything is that my kids have an authentic relationship with God.
• My wife and… [read more]

Aug11

Less Time…More Influence

Posted by Carey Nieuwhof

I still remember the first day of kindergarten for both of my sons so very clearly, like it was yesterday.  But right now, we’re preparing for two new firsts a few weeks from now.  My eldest son starts his first year of college and my younger son begins his first year of high school.
Gulp.
Some of… [read more]