We all know that boys are very different from girls.  Generally speaking, boys are rougher, louder, and less attentive.  So how can you raise your boy to be a responsible man?  Here are 7 principles for raising sons well.  First, channel their energy.  Rather than try to get rid of your son’s energy, channel it into something productive like sports, arts, or other activities with friends.  Second, protect their eyes and ears.  As a mom, it’s important to protect your son from harmful things like media violence, graphic sexual images, and inappropriate music.  Here’s more on the 7 Principles for Raising Sons.  

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. told us what greatness is all about. He said, “Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.” One of our jobs as parents is to talk to our kids about the significance of serving others and show them how to do it. Serving others starts in your family. You don’t have to look any farther than the four walls of your home to serve others. Doing chores together around the house, such as washing dishes, vacuuming, and taking the garbage out, will teach your child how to serve.

For more on this topic on my blog, go to 5 Places You and Your Kids Can Serve Others.

There are some things we need to survive physically—air, food, water. There are some things we need to survive emotionally in marriage—things like love, trust, truth and understanding. When a marriage is deprived of such things, it can slowly start to die. Here are 3 ways to revive a dying marriage.  First, stop suffocating your marriage.  Your words are powerful—the words you say out loud to your spouse and the words you say silently to yourself. When your words and thoughts are constantly negative, the oxygen will be sucked out of your relationship. So be careful to use words that breathe life into your spouse. Read more about How to Revive a Dying Marriage.  

In life, we tend to overthink so many situations.  But by the time we study, observe, and contemplate the issue, it’s already passed or gotten worse.  Sometimes, the best thing to do is nip it in the bud and deal with issues right when they arise.  This is where life hacks come in handy.  Life hacks are short cuts that make life easier.  So when life gets stressful, here are some Life Hacks for you Dads.  First, we have the Time Management Hack to help you make better use of your time and stay on top of things.  Next, there’s the Common Fix-It Hack so that dads can know some simple ways to fix anything from car troubles to cooking.  Read more about these and the rest of the 7 Life Hacks for Dads.  And in case you missed them, here are 7 Life Hacks for Moms too. 

Once when my wife and I were about to go out, my daughter said, “But Mom, I want you to stay here!”  My wife replied, “No honey.  I’m going on a date with Daddy.”  Wow, I felt like a million bucks. My wife was protecting her time with me and making us a priority. Our kids need to know how much we love them…that they are a priority to us as well…but, that they are not the center of the universe.  If they think they are, 3 things will happen. First, your marriage will suffer. Putting all your time and energy into your kids leaves only leftovers for your spouse. Here are more reasons to not let your kids think they are the center of the universe.  

Life Hacks are simple ideas that make life easier.  And if there’s anyone who needs a good life hack, it’s moms.  Moms are the ones who keep families going with their encouragement, support, love, and selflessness.  So here are some 7 ways to deal with stress for moms.  First, we have a Conversation Life Hack.  This gives moms simple conversation starters to stay involved in their kids’ lives.  Second, check out our Clutter Life Hack that helps moms keep their families organized.  Next, there’s the Consequence Life Hack to help moms figure out how to discipline with love and fairness. Read more about these and other Life Hacks for Moms.  And be sure to check out 7 Life Hacks for Dads too.

Webster’s Dictionary says a legacy is “something handed down from one who has gone before.”  Fathers, we will eventually be that “one who has gone before”—we will leave a legacy…good or bad and how we live will influence our children and descendants for generations. Sure what you say to your kids is important, but what they see in you is equally important. So be a man of character, conviction, and passion. As Father’s day approaches, start focusing on leaving your legacy and ways you can honor your Dad. Here’s one way I chose to honor my dad.