As bedtime approaches, your kids obediently put on their pajamas, they only ask for one sip of water, and then they quietly listen to you read the perfect bedtime story.  Right?  Wrong!  Putting the kids to bed may be more like a wrestling match —wrestling with a child who always needs to get up to go to the bathroom just one more time.  With all the frustrations that come with bedtime, how can parents keep their cool?  Well, here are 3 bedtime no no’s for moms.  First, never discipline at bedtime.  Before you lose your temper, remember that both you and your child are tired and not on your best behavior.  Read the rest of the 3 Bedtime No No’s for Moms. 

As parents we must understand why our teen is rebelling if we want to figure out what to do in response.  Here are 5 reasons why your teen is rebelling and 5 solutions for you.  First, your teenager may be rebelling because they’re struggling for identity. They’re trying to answer the question “Who am I?”  As a parent, you must communicate to your teen that their identity is found in who they are, not in what they do.  Second, your teen may be struggling for acceptance.  They want to fit in. But you need to encourage your child to stand up and stand out, even if it means not being the most popular. Read more about How to Handle Teenage Rebellion. 

We want our kids to be confident. Acing a test, scoring a goal, or getting the part builds that confidence.  But all too often, confidence grows into pride as kids begin thinking they’re better than their peers.  Teach your children to be different by teaching them to be humble.  Here are some ways to teach your kids humility.  First, model it yourself.  It’s important to never underestimate the power of teaching by example.  Second, coach them how to respond to success. Teach them how to be thankful and how to give credit to others. Here’s more on the remaining 10 Ways to Teach Your Children Humility.  

During busy times does your job or family become the main focus? University of Georgia head football coach Mark Richt said that no matter what, he drove his kids to school, even during football season. Spending that time with them was a top priority. So what can you do to make sure you’re spending enough time with your kids during a busy season? Start by setting appointments on your calendar to spend one-on-one time each week with each of your children doing what they want to do. If someone else asks you for a meeting during that time, just tell them you can’t…and that you’ve got a really important appointment at that time.  For more ways, listen to my podcast interview with Coach Richt.  

We all know how powerful words can be.  They have the power to poison and even kill a relationship.  But they also have the power to build up and breathe life into a relationship.  Here are 5 types of words that can help breathe life into your marriage.  First, respectful words.  Choosing to use respectful words with your spouse means choosing to honor them—not undermine them.  Second, affirming words.  No matter how long you’ve been together, your spouse still desires to be validated for something they say or do well.  Read more about the 5 Types of Powerful Words for Your Marriage.

You overslept; there’s no hot water left in the shower; you can’t find your other shoe.  So when your child jumps onto your lap and spills coffee down your shirt, it’s the last straw.  You snap.  Unfortunately, our kids are sometimes the ones who are on the receiving end of our frustration when things overwhelm us.  Here are 15 things to do when you’re feeling overwhelmed.  First, lean on your spouse. When you’re feeling stretched to the limit, share it with your spouse. Together, you may be able to come up with a strategy to redistribute some tasks. Second, exercise.  Releasing endorphins with physical activity is a great stress reliever.  Here’s the complete list of 15 Things to Do When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed.  

We only have so many summers to make memories with our kids before they leave the nest. So, with school out, give your kids your best. First, STOP being connected 24/7 to work. Give yourself permission to be DISCONNECTED from work so you can be RECONNECTED with your kids. Second, DROP the phones, tablets and other tech that keep you from your family. Set daily times, especially when you’re on vacation, where you’ll be tech-free. Finally, ROLL with the punches.  Our summer plans rarely go off without a hitch.  So be flexible and be available for your kids. Here are more tips for how to Increase Family Time This Summer.