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Silhoutte of two people watching a sunset
Blog Parents

Their World—And Ours

The saying goes, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” As a parent, I hope I am not foolishly trying to act like my twenty-something. However, showing interest in what my student’s world looks like—and how they look at the world—is a positive approach. Parents can be seen as too old to understand or...

Thursday, January 30, 2020

wrapped gift underneath a Christmas tree
Blog Parents

Skirting the New Year

One of the most enlightening conversations over the holidays was about my tree skirt. No, I’m not talking about a skirt with trees on it or a skirt made from trees, although bamboo is big in textiles these days. Imagine instead a skirt that circles the base of a Christmas tree. For many years, I...

Monday, January 13, 2020

graphic with Charlie Brown saying "Good Grief!"
Blog Parents

Good Grief

The song written for the timeless TV special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas", goes on to say, "Happiness and cheer, fun for all that children call their favorite time of year.” I beg to differ. Presuming it is a joyous, season-of-choice for all is truly a stretch. For some, Christmas is an especially...

Monday, December 2, 2019

person sitting at a table and writing
Blog Parents

To Tell the Truth

I admit I am wary of actions that put me in physical danger. I am sitting in the urgent care lobby, waiting and writing while my husband is getting stitches on a couple of good-sized gashes. He’s a handy guy with a can-do attitude. He’ll try just about anything before he calls a contractor.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Climber gripping an edge
Blog Parents

Try This At Home

I admit I am wary of actions that put me in physical danger. I am sitting in the urgent care lobby, waiting and writing while my husband is getting stitches on a couple of good-sized gashes. He’s a handy guy with a can-do attitude. He’ll try just about anything before he calls a contractor.

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Photo of coffee and a waffle
Blog Parents

WITH or WITHOUT?

Is it just our human nature to focus on our lack instead of our gain? Even if we make change in our diet to improve our health, we think about what favorite food we are giving up to reach our weight loss goal. Why is it that the WITHOUT seems to outweigh (pun intended) the WITH?

Friday, August 30, 2019

girls by mountian
Blog Parents

Monumental Moments

I asked my friend, “How was your weekend?” Under usual circumstances, that is a simple question to ask. However, depending on the timing and context, the answer can be quite complex. She is in the middle of major life change—a we-will-never-be-the-same kind of life change. Her answer to my...

Thursday, August 1, 2019

Rooster on a fence
Blog Parents

Lord Give Me Patience—Right Now!

​As part of their legacy to me, my two grandfathers doled out lessons in patience. My Papaw Arthur had little tolerance for grumpy grandkids. If a pouty attitude crept out onto a protruding lip, he would be quick to say, “I’m gonna to put a rooster on that lip!”

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

man looking up into sky
Blog Parents

Accept Except?

What does it really mean to accept others as they are? My son recently admitted to me that the people that have the very most exposure to him also get to see the worst of him. “Does that include me?” I asked. The answer was an emphatic, “YES, mostly you.” I did not receive that as an insult. It...

Monday, April 29, 2019

two staff posing for picture
Blog Parents

Unintentional Influence

My daughter and I have a laughable habit of unintentionally dressing alike. It was her lot in life to have her mother also serving as her high school principal. She could have felt really embarrassed by the many days that the two of us met in the kitchen wearing similar outfits with no time to...

Monday, April 1, 2019

phone on table
Blog Parents

Phone Home

You're hoping for a phone call. You receive a two-word text from your son or daughter. You're not alone.

Friday, October 5, 2018

Question mark
Blog Parents

Staying Focused, Standing Firm

Is your student ready to stay focused? What can you as the parent do to help?

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Strawberry Pie
Blog Parents

Life Choices—Served with Pie

Students face many important decisions in their first few years out of the home—especially related to college. The right "coaching" can make all the difference in helping them navigate this exciting time.

Thursday, June 28, 2018

man and boy silhouettes watching the sunset
Blog College Preparation, Leadership, Parents

Big Lessons from Small Mistakes

Parents hope their young adults have already learned major lessons in academic integrity, managing temptation, and setting priorities in the right order. The fact is they are no less human than when they were in middle or high school. When the mistakes happen, what can parents do to keep anger,...

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

father and son on the beach walking towards the water
Blog Parents

Modeling Being Human

The good news—and the bad news—is that we are the primary examples for our children. Instinctively though, we know that “monkey see, monkey do” applies to more than just the sweet moments of life. Our children also live in close proximity with our greatest stressors and our most critical conflicts.

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Silhouette people holding hands during sunset
Blog Parents

Risking Accountability

Because it's much easier to receive parents' praise than parents' concern, our college students' transparency about their temptations can be limited. It is unusual for a student to admit to Mom and Dad that they are in trouble…with money…with grades…with alcohol…and especially with their...

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Student and parent at home
Blog Parents

Me or We?

It’s going to happen any day now…there will be unmistakable signs of spring on campus. The snow will melt, the trees will green up, students will take their studying outdoors, and the campus ROCK will feature two names in a heart to announce another new engagement. I’m not getting any younger but...

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Loaf of bread
Blog Parents

Bread or a Stone?

I found myself back in Matthew 7 this week, reminded that the Lord invites us to ask Him for what we need. Verses 7 and 8 say, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one...

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Bible with Christmas decorations around it
Blog Parents

Unwrap the Gifts Again

By the time we hit New Years, Christmas is already a fading memory. When we're asked what gifts we received, it may already be hard to recall. However, I would venture to guess that over the years, there are at least a few memorable standouts, like a handmade baby blanket grandma made that is now a...

Friday, December 1, 2017

Student and parent
Blog College Preparation, Parents

4 expectations parents should set with their college student

Now fall semester has begun. With our students, it is easy for hopes to get ahead of plans. While we are busy packing in the last family picnic of the summer, getting the commuter car in shape, or shopping for the dorm room supplies, it is easy to get so busy that we forget to discuss what will...

Monday, August 28, 2017