By Terry Scalzitti
Some friends of mine recently told me they were at their wit’s end. They had two children who—in their words—were “driving them crazy.” Since they didn’t think that destination would change anytime soon, they asked for some practical ways to improve their patience with their kids. Should they count to ten? Should they… [read more]
Patience = Money in the Bank
Posted by Orange Parent
How to Have A Family Fight
Posted by Carey NieuwhofSo when you first became a family, you likely thought that you would never have a fight.
You would be a perfect couple.
Your son would discipline himself, and your daughter would, well, never sin because she’s your daughter.
How’s that going?
Hasn’t really turned out that way, has it?
The sad reality is that every family fights. As much… [read more]
Practicing Friendship
Posted by Orange ParentI really think we could learn a lot about friendship from our kids, especially when they are young. I’m always amazed at how easily kids can make friends on the playground, at the ball park, or in line at the grocery store. Maybe it’s just easier to strike up play when you’re younger than… [read more]
Raising Ragamuffins
Posted by Orange ParentBy Sarah Anderson
This past Friday, April 12, 2013, Brennan Manning, someone many would consider a giant of the faith, passed away.
I first came across Brennan Manning’s writing in high school. I checked out a book of his from the church library, because it had the word “ragamuffin” in the title—a word I’d never heard of,… [read more]
Myths about Kids – Nurture Shock
Posted by Orange ParentBook Review by Cara Martens
Last night, I let the kids stay up later even though it was a school night. And Saturday, I let them play video games a little longer than usual. My two kids were enjoying playing together, judging by all the belly laughs.
I could even hear them encouraging each other, instead of… [read more]
The Perfect White Easter Eggs
Posted by Orange ParentBy Sarah Anderson
My husband often tells me “the happiest and healthiest people are those whose expectations meet reality.” I frequently need reminding of this. I live in expectation—anticipation—playing things out in my head of how I would like them to unfold. The problem is, as you might imagine, the more expectations I have, the more… [read more]
What Teachers Want Parents to Know
Posted by Carey NieuwhofSo this might date me, but let me tell you what it was like when I was a kid. If I got in trouble at school, I got in twice as much trouble at home. I think there are more than a few parents who remember that.
So what happened?
Consider one of CNN’s most shared articles written… [read more]
5 Ways to Encourage Your Kids to Tell The Truth
Posted by Carey NieuwhofMy grandmother used to tell me about a parenting strategy she used to us to get my mom and uncles to tell the truth when they were kids.
If she suspected one of her children was lying, she would line them up and tell them that she was going to inspect their foreheads. Every time one… [read more]
Innocent Little Liars
Posted by Orange Parentby Karen Wilson
Your cute innocent little children have deceived you. They are not who they appear to be! If you haven’t already caught them in a lie, chances are you will. And more than once—as toddlers, as young children, and as teenagers.
At first you might want to try to suppress laughter as you watch them… [read more]
Falling Short
Posted by Orange ParentMy husband and I are short people. We knew long before each of our boys was born they didn’t stand a chance. Height was not in the cards.
Several months ago the county fair was in town, so on opening night we headed out with our family and some friends to experience what only a county… [read more]


