Better Parents, Better Families Archive

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Parents, be an example to your kids in PRAYER!

January 30th, 201006:44 PM ET

By Ann Dunagan

How can you follow Jesus, and know His will for your lives and your family, unless you take time to be with Him? As Christians, it is a tremendous honor to spend time with God every day. At the beginning, it takes desire and discipline to become faithful in your daily quiet time with the Lord, but eventually (by GOD'S GRACE, not by self-efforts) ...
The Do's and Don'ts of Divorce for Parents

January 29th, 201010:28 AM ET

By Empowering Parents

An important note from James: Divorce is a very complex occurrence that takes place within the family. This article will not attempt to cover all of the many nuances and intricacies involved in dealing with children who are experiencing a divorce. There are therapists who deal specifically with divorces as well as many books written on the effects...
We Got a Diagnosis for Our Child—Now What? ADHD, ODD, LDs and More—What a Diagnosis Means for Your Child

January 26th, 201004:56 PM ET

By Empowering Parents

A diagnosis is an important piece of the puzzle we are trying to solve when we try to help kids with disabilities learn how to function. Many parents are relieved when they get a diagnosis for their acting-out, "problem child" because they see it as a guideline for the future. They think, "Now we'll know what to do; this is it- we'll finally get ou...
Releasing Your Kids to God - #2

January 26th, 201004:09 AM ET

By Ann Dunagan

As I have thought about this need to totally release each of my children to God's purposes, I have tried to imagine-in my own finite way-what our heavenly Father must have experienced when He released His Child. God never struggles, but I believe He can relate to my feelings (and yours). He too had to release His Son-His only Son-in order to fulfil...
No Means No: How to Teach Your Child That You Mean Business

January 25th, 201004:10 PM ET

By Empowering Parents

I think a lot of parents feel it's important to explain their reasoning to their children in an attempt to get them to understand. Realize that along the way, wanting your child to understand can easily shift into wanting their approval, or their acceptance of your reasons. When this happens, parents can get stuck in a dynamic where they're over-ex...
Releasing Your Kids to God - #1

January 25th, 201001:49 PM ET

By Ann Dunagan

As our children grow, there will be repeated times of releasing each one to God: letting go of a little hand as a baby takes that first wobbly step . . . letting go of total educational control as a child steps onto that school bus or enrolls in that first college course. Or what about that moment when we let go of the car keys and an eager teenage...
“I Want It Now!” How to Challenge a False Sense of Entitlement in Kids

January 22nd, 201004:10 PM ET

By Empowering Parents

Almost as soon as your child begins to talk, you'll start to hear him ask for things. In fact, when an infant cries, he's asking for food or to be made more comfortable. By the time he reaches the age of four or five, his constant refrain becomes: "Can I have this, Mom? Can I have that?" The unending requests for new toys or candy and an "I want it...
As families, we're blessed to be a BLESSING!

January 22nd, 201002:12 PM ET

By Ann Dunagan

Think for a moment about how different your life would be if you were born in a land isolated from God and filled with extreme poverty, sickness, and disease. What would it be like if you were born in an area where praying to an idol or giving homage to an ancestor was your only hope? What if constant fear of evil spirits consumed your life? Wouldn...
Proper Response to Teen Rulebreaking

January 22nd, 201012:48 AM ET

By Mark Gregston

When a teen breaks the rules, they need a responsible adult to respond, not react. To respond is to offer calmness, honesty, love, grace and support while seeking to correct the misbehavior. However, to react is to become emotional, angry, hurt, quick to judge, and often harsh. Knee-jerk reactions are almost always counterproductive. We have all d...
How to Give Kids Consequences That Work

January 20th, 201011:10 AM ET

By Empowering Parents

A consequence is something that follows naturally from a person's action, inaction or poor decision. It differs from a punishment in that a punishment is retribution. Punishment is "getting back" at someone, to hurt them back for a hurt they did. When you get a speeding ticket, it's not a retribution for something you did wrong. It's a consequence ...
Friday, January 22, 2010 - Can Your Family FAST & PRAY for HAITI?

January 19th, 201011:57 AM ET

By Ann Dunagan

JOIN the World Day of Fasting & Prayer for Haiti - Friday, January 22, 2010 The horrific news from Haiti has filled your living room. As a family, what can you do to help? How can you share this situation with your children? How can you give in a way that will genuinely help and make a difference? You know you could pray . . . but do you ...
Sudden Behavior Changes in Children Part II: 7 Things You Can Do Today

January 19th, 201008:59 AM ET

By Empowering Parents

This week, James tells you how to handle the specific changes you might suddenly see in your child during adolescence, from backtalk to attitude to slipping grades. I believe parents go through something similar to the stages of grief when their kids go through adolescence. The family that once had a loving and eager son or daughter, someone who ...
Teflon Kids: Why Children Avoid Responsibility—and How to Hold Them Accountable

January 15th, 201010:42 AM ET

By Empowering Parents

Responsibility slides off kids like water slides off a duck's back. It almost seems the way that nature meant it to be. Think of kids as being coated with Teflon, and nothing sticks-that's how they relate to responsibility. In some ways, it's no mystery: kids are born with no responsibilities, and everything they do is by instinct. They cry when th...
Aiming Our Teen Arrows

January 11th, 201001:34 PM ET

By Ann Dunagan

The Bible says, "Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth" (Psalm 127:4 - NKJV). Our teens are like arrows, soon to be released from our family quiver; and God wants each son and daughter to hit the target of HIS WILL for their lives. Picture this scene at an archery tournament: With an inward determination, the ...
Enjoying Missions . . . in JANUARY

January 08th, 201006:30 PM ET

By Ann Dunagan

International Holiday Ideas Throughout the year, acknowledging international holidays and using these days as focus-points for prayer, can give our families an insight into our world’s need for Jesus. These vibrant festivities are filled with colorful expression, yet often these traditions are rooted in false religion and fear. Teaching...
Boundaries For Teenagers

January 08th, 201012:34 PM ET

By Mark Gregston

When a teenager doesn't have boundaries, he does what seems right in his own eyes. Contrary to what most moms and dads think, teens really do want rules. Rules help keep them headed in the right direction and prevent them from ending up in a place that they don't want to be. When coupled with consequences, they help the teen more easily r...
Talk with your Teen about 2010

January 07th, 201002:16 PM ET

By Ann Dunagan

As we train our teenagers, we need to aim them toward the bulls-eye of God's destiny. Instead of focusing on the "NO" side of our own legalism (emphasizing endless rules and regulations) it's much more fulfilling to challenge our youth to live on the "YES" side of God's life and love (emphasizing His eternal plans and purposes). A great time to...

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Here you will find parenting tips from experts on building a healthy family.