Winter 2023 Edition

It’s incredible to think how something as simple as gratitude can bring new meaning to life. Not only does it allow us to appreciate the positive aspects in life instead of the negative, gratitude has also been proven to generate a positive impact on one’s psychological and physical well-being. Gratitude...

My boys grew up on a family farm, working alongside their dad and grandpa. Some of my most cherished memories are of the family part of the family business—son #2 waiting at the end of the driveway for Grandpa to pick him up to “help” or son #1, tool in...

We all remember the moment when we first held our newborn in our arms and dreamed of all the wonderful adventures that lie ahead.  We dreamed of their first smile, their first steps, and their first words.   But what happens when those first words don’t come as early or as easily...

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) include abuse, neglect, having someone in the household with substance abuse problems or mental health difficulties, and more. The more ACEs that children experience, the more likely they are to not only struggle with their own mental health, but also with their physical health as adults....

Whose right is it to tell a boy what it means to be a man? I believe it is a father’s right and responsibility to teach a boy what it means to be a man. If a father is not intentional and vigilant in the formation of his son’s vision...

As we all know, being a parent is the most important job in the world. Our children look up to us for guidance on everything in life, even if we don’t realize it. One way that you can be a positive role model to your kids is in the area...

Broadly speaking, body image refers to your thoughts and feelings about your appearance and shape. Unfortunately, research suggests that children as young as four can start to develop negative feelings about themselves, and by age 18, 75-80% of girls and 65-70% of boys are dissatisfied with their bodies. These negative...

If you are the parent of a middle or high schooler, you may feel the onslaught of the beginning of school, or the change in seasons and semesters. With each new school year or term, your child likely brings home, or you are inundated with, flyers from every school sport,...

As we embark upon a new adventure in the life of our family this fall, it is with both excitement and trepidation that we send our firstborn off to college, five hours from home. Eeeek! Five hours. Certainly not the other side of the world, but far enough that we...

We may feel loss in any number of ways and all of these ways are valid. When we are in the midst of grief it often feels like we are “supposed” to be or feel or act a certain way. The reality is that grief is a deeply personal journey....

Anyone who has sent a child off to college knows the drill. Shower shoes…check. Twin extra-large sheets…check. Laundry detergent…check. Laptop…check. Refrigerator, big screen TV…wait, what?!? How did this begin? What happened to the toddler whose favorite toy was a cardboard box? How do they go from hand-me-downs to coordinated throw...