When we were little, we all enjoyed playing the game of Tag. We’d run barefoot through the grass, laughing and trying to “tag” anyone we could. Tagging them meant passing on responsibilities, taking turns being it. Now that we’re all grown up, we aren’t as likely to be found running around and screaming in our front yard. But who says the game of Tag has to end when we become parents? Today on my husbands blog I discuss 3 Ways to keep the game of Tag going with Tag Team Parenting.
Over the years, we’ve said many things to our kids… From “Time to wake up, sweetheart” to “Time for bed.” From “You lost your first tooth!” to “You lost your homework, again?” From “Shhh, Mommy’s trying to sleep” to “Shhh, it’s okay, honey.” The thing we dread saying the most, but the one thing we eventually have to say to our kids, is goodbye. But before saying goodbye to your teen, be sure they are ready by sharing these 3 simple truths with them: 1. They are special: Filling your child up with encouragement is the best way to create confidence in them for the future. So write a letter to your teen listing all the special things you love about them. This way, they are able to take your letter of encouragement with them when it does come time to leave home. Tell them how wonderful and awesome and unique they are! Then be sure to share specific things you love about them—such as their kindness towards their younger siblings or their leadership on their baseball team. 2. They are human: Set your teen up for a win by being sure they know that they are only human. Change their expectations …
I have to smile when I hear people talk about blended families. “Every family is blended!” I think to myself. When you take a man and a woman from two different families, and they get married – boom! You have a blended family. My family became even more blended when we adopted two children. And though blending can be beautiful, it can also bring new challenges. In her new book, Uncommon Marriage, my friend Lauren Dungy shares how blending her family through adoption brought challenges, but also new insight into her relationship with her husband, Tony. A married couple needs to focus on both partners’ passions and desires. Otherwise, one of the spouses may be forgotten. It can be so easy to forget that what is important to one partner might not be as important to the other. I had always been supportive of Tony’s career in sports. We sacrificed, made adjustments, and moved around the country because that was what needed to happen. He was passionate about his job, and I loved supporting him. I think Tony felt the same way about my desire to adopt at that point in our lives. He might not have been as …
Life is full of pressure points. On any given day I can handle them, but sometimes, for whatever reason, they all start throbbing at the same time. Multiple kids have multiple issues. Projects at work loom large. A friend calls with a crisis. My parents get sick. The throbbing becomes so intense it is painful and I feel like I am going to pop. I have fallen down the hole, taken a drink of panic, and I can’t fit back through the door to sanity. I am a stressed out mom. Like Alice in Wonderland, the trip once started doesn’t get better. The trick is to stop before you start. What are the sanity secrets to keep your feet on solid ground? After years of falling, here are my three… 1. Allow for Quiet Time Sometimes, the noise of the world around us is enough to drive us crazy! Our brains need time to process and ponder. But if we don’t schedule it we won’t have it. Just do it, force it, leave the dishes in the sink. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and get settled into your favorite chair for a couple hours. Or try taking your journal outside …
Tough times can come into any marriage at any time. For my friend Lauren Dungy, one of a tough times for her came when she had to move her family at a moment’s notice because of her husband’s new job. She and Tony had been living in Pittsburgh, just down the road from her family. The move took them and their two young children hundreds of miles away. Here’s how Lauren handled it. The cold January morning started off like so many others. I bundled up Tiara and Jamie in matching red snowsuits and headed over to the library for story time. As a former teacher, I loved the opportunity to introduce them to good books; as a stay-at-home mom, I relished the chance to get out and mix with other young moms. Just before the librarian asked us to sit down so she could start the story, Tony rushed in, looking for me. He really caught me off guard. My first thought was, Oh, he came to surprise the kids and join us for story time. How sweet! But I could tell by the expression on his face that something was troubling him. Pulling me aside, he quietly …
I learned early on in my childhood that tantrums never got me what I wanted. Growing up, I remember the time my mom took us kids to the grocery store with her to pick a few things up. Halfway down the first aisle, my 4 year old brother began to pitch a fit over wanting a box of cereal that we didn’t need. Well as soon as my mom said no, he started crying and screaming at the top of his little lungs. To say the least, my 3 other siblings and I were absolutely mortified, and immediately ran off to another aisle to act like we had no idea who that obnoxious child was! What I remember most wasn’t the sound of his screams echoing across the entire grocery store or even the way my cheeks were bright pink. No, what I remember most was the way my mom kept right on shopping—as if she had a pair of invisible earplugs in and didn’t have a care in the world. She taught me the best remedy for dealing with tantrums is to ignore it. With that, here are 3 helpful tips for the next time your child has …
When we love someone, we want to learn what makes them happy, so that we can bring more joy into their life. So would you like a fun way to find out what makes your kids happy? Then play iMOM’s Valentine Family Game Show this weekend. My co-worker Andy gathered his family together and had a blast with this sweet (literally) activity. If you’ve ever heard of that old TV game show, The Newlywed Game, this family game show is a lot like that one! Not only will learn more about your kids, they’ll learn about each other, and hopefully be inspired to do what they can to bring each other joy. Instructions: You Will Need Printer Printer Paper Pencil or Pen Candy Conversation Hearts (50 individual hearts) (If you don’t have candy hearts, you can use other small Valentine candies, or chocolate chips) Preparation Time 15 Minutes #1: Getting Ready Print out your list of Valentine’s Family Game Show Questions. (But don’t let your kids see them!) Give each person plenty of blank paper and a pen or pencil for writing their answers. #2: Sweet Talk Gather everyone together as you pour your candy hearts (or other candies) into a bowl. While …
My friend Lauren Dungy has been married to Tony Dungy for more than 30 years. I love the story of how they met, so I’m sharing it with you today. It’s taken from their new book, Uncommon Marriage. This part of their “how we met” story begins after Lauren finishes a phone call with her church pastor, John, who’d been trying to set her up with Tony..
My friend Nancy’s nephew, Declan Farmer, is heading to Sochi, Russia for the Paralympics. I’ve heard Nancy talk about Declan over the years, and how he’s overcome a significant physical challenge to excel at a world-class level.
