(1) You never forget. “He’s everywhere I look. Sitting in that chair. Standing by the kitchen sink. Coming down the stairs. Watching television.” (2) You rage against God. “Why did you let this happen to our son? He was a great kid! We did our best to please you and raise him right — why […]
Category: family
Stepmoms, Part Two
Sometimes dads remarry because their wives die while the kids are young. We learned of three such situations recently, and none of the new stepmoms had prior experience being moms. The first new mom was the victim of a cheating husband in her previous marriage. She views the kids’ first mom as a competitor vying […]
Stepmoms, Part One
A volunteer who uses our book called with a stepmom story. She told us about Stephanie, a girl in her group who got a new mom this summer. Like so many, Stephanie’s blended family is struggling to communicate and love well. One example: Stephanie left dishes in the sink. Her new mom quietly asked her to […]
Fathering
Early this week we met with a student from another church. The longer we talked the more amazed we were. Mature, a clear thinker, reading substantive books, forming opinions about how life works, and making plans for the future. Throughout the conversation, two words kept popping up. “My Dad.” Over and over. It’s impossible to […]
How kids raise parents
The bumpy world of rearing adolescents offers a unique opportunity for parents to grow. It’s one of the rare times in life when the enchantment is lifted, the spell is broken, and truth is out in the open. Here it is: It’s what we do with our own lives that makes the difference. Parenting power […]
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