Parenting Tips to Get You Through The Day

Wayne Rice at homeward.com writes about 12 tips to help parents of teenagers interact with their kids.  Things like 

• Ask your teenager to play his/her favorite music on your stereo. Listen and discuss the music with him or her. Find out why he/she likes it so much. Try to avoid criticism.
• Think of something positive you can say to your teenager today ... and say it.
• Love your spouse. A strong family provides security for teenagers.

Go here to see the entire list, and some bonus tips as well.  

Parents: What Can Be Learned from the Hatfields & McCoys?

In this week's Link For Parents, Brain Housman writes on www.parentzilla.com about the "winner takes all" approach to parenting.  So many times we forget to forgive and will do anything to show our kids that we are in charge.  Check out Brian's tips and comment below with your thoughts and ideas.  Here's the link.

http://www.parentzilla.com/are-you-tired-of-winner-takes-all-parenting/

What Do Your Kids Learn From Your Marriage?

I would like to start a new weekly series on "A Bunch of Stuff" that will try to encourage parents as they raise their kids.  Actually, it might just me looking for some help as well.  And, almost ALL the content will be from others who have more experience then me.  But, from my 25 years of experience as a youth pastor, I have come to realize that the parents have all the responsibility of raising their kids - not the youth pastor, the church or anyone else.  So, I want to encourage parents to do the parenting.

Here is my first link.  Please feel free to comment about your thoughts below.  

Doug Fields writes about "10 Things Kids Learn From Their Parents' Marriage" at Homeward.com.  He says that while he is not always speaking about his marriage, his kids can always learn from what they see.  Just as an older gentleman with three boys told me a long time ago.  "I always try to follow the speed limit and the posted signs because I have 6 eyes in the back seat watching everything I do."  Same is true about your marriage.  Check out Doug's list and evaluate how you are doing in your marriage.  And, maybe you could add to the list.