There are many problems in parenting that require the wisdom of Solomon. Imagine sibling rivalry—bickering, hurting, spitefulness, jockeying—not a pretty sight. It is almost universal in this world. As we wrestle with such behavior, we are wise to turn to … Read more
An anxious mother posed the question that troubled her: “What can you do when your child wanders off? When you find her again, how do you teach her never to do that again?”
For this mother the question was not … Read more
Motivation is the timeless parenting question. How can I get my kids to do what they’re supposed to do? There are at least three options.
The first is force. Using threats and power, parents can often get their children to … Read more
I was listening to the radio as I drove. The respected commentator on a respected station invited listeners to call in and tell of stupid things they had seen teenagers do. He himself gladly shared experiences of teen incompetence. Many … Read more
There are a lot of challenging questions that parents ask about childrearing. “How can I get my child to eat?” “How can I get my child to do chores?” “How can I get the children to get along?” “How can … Read more
I struggled for a long time to find a clear interpretation of a phrase in scripture that seems very significant.
… Read moreNo power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long
Chafing, rivalry, contention, and jealousy are the thorns and weeds of mortality. They spring up without any encouragement. When they appear in our own family garden, they are doubly troublesome.
Rivalry has bedeviled the human race since the first family. … Read more
I am certain that Mom and Dad were mystified by us. We were basically good kids but, in spite of all their good example and effective teaching, we kids regularly fussed with each other. And as our numbers swelled, so … Read more
Is time-out effective for children? Is spanking acceptable? Are consequences the best way to teach children? Is reasoning with children a waste of time?
The answers become much clearer when we realize that there is only one purpose for that … Read more
Our children grew up around their Great-Grandma Thacker. She loved our dear children as much as we did. But she worried: “You love your children so much—I wonder if you’re going to spoil them.” It seemed right to love them, … Read more