Category Archive

You know that uncomfortable feeling you get (at a social gathering) when a couple starts arguing with each other?

Dads, consider this: Is it possible that your kids feel like this every time you snip at your wife?

Or do you assume that they are thinking, “I love that my parents are showing me healthy ways to disagree with another person.”?

From my wife’s uncle Phil:

One of the most important ideas that a teenager needs to understand is that they should be careful about over-committing to an idea they think might be true.

Dads, you don’t want your kids to be bored when you pray – so take steps to make it interesting.

Try different things. Here are some suggestions:

The only Thanksgiving prayer
The only Praise prayer
The mention-each-child prayer
The small things prayer
The pray through a scripture passage prayer.

Do you have any suggestions for keeping your prayers interesting?

Dads, every child is born with this way of responding to any conflict he was a part of:

If I can show (at least to myself) that the other person sinned, then I was innocent.

It is the parent’s job to move them past this.

Make it clear to them that one person’s sin doesn’t excuse another’s.

Dads, if you’re going to be in a situation with your kids where you’re afraid that they’re going to behave in a certain way, set them up for success – tell them what’s going to happen and what you expect from them. They might not know.

Dads, if you have to criticize, or point out error, to your children in public . . .

. . . if at all possible, whisper.

Dads, If something at work or church is causing you stress or anger or nervousness, don’t allow this to cause you to bring darkness into your relationship with your wife and kids.

But . . .

If something at work or church is causing to have joy or peace, by all means, DO allow this to brighten up your relationship with your wife and kids.

Dads, it’s your responsibility to motivate your family to do things that are slightly more intimidating than your wife would normally suggest doing.

Update: My wife says I should also recommend that you make sure your wife is attired with proper footware.

From John Piper:

An unhappy family is a bad advertisement for the greatness of Jesus. Dads, pray and work for their joy. (2 Cor. 1:24)

Dads, if necessary, look for ways to get your children to like each other. Be a peacemaker.