All entries by this author

Imagination Day

Jan 6th, 2009 | By adjustafresh

My kids like television… a lot.  Sometimes I worry (as do many of you) about the amount of TV that they consume.  I especially become concerned when their little eyes glaze over as the hypnotic TV trance brainwashes them into encouraging me to purchase Aquaglobes or Debbie Meyer Green Bags, or they reenact entire seasons [...]

Your Right to Raise Your Child

Dec 13th, 2008 | By adjustafresh

Carl and Raylene Worthington believe that prayer–not medicine–should be used to treat illness.  When their 15-month-old daughter developed bacterial bronchial pneumonia, they turned to their [...]

New Ways to Praise: “You are not a beautiful or unique snowflake”

Dec 1st, 2008 | By adjustafresh

Growing up, my parents and teachers told me that I was smart and talented frequently enough for me to believe them. While adults thought they were doing the right thing by lavishing praise on children (whether or not they deserve it) a growing amount of research shows that telling children that they are special or [...]

Take Time to Say, “No”

Nov 5th, 2008 | By adjustafresh

It’s eleven minutes after seven in the morning. If the kids are going to make it to school on time, I need to get them out of the door and strapped into the car by 7:15.  Inevitably, one of them (my son is 4, daughter is 7) will encounter a challenge (I don’t know where [...]

Dad-o-Matic Quick Tip: Getting Kids to Say Thank You

Oct 18th, 2008 | By adjustafresh

I’m sure (I hope) most of you will agree that teaching our children manners is crucial.  Here’s a simple way to reinforce your children saying, “thank you.”  
This Dad-o-Matic Quick Tip works best with younger children.  When you hand your child something that they have asked for, don’t let go. Keep your grip on the object–be it [...]

Our Favorite Bedtime Books

Oct 13th, 2008 | By adjustafresh
Our Favorite Bedtime Books

My wife and I have always made it a priority to read to our children–I’m sure most of you do the same, and yes, I do the voices. I would like to think that this habit has helped lead to our second grader’s ability to read at a 5th grade level.  Every night, before bed [...]

Hey – She’s Not 22!

Sep 24th, 2008 | By adjustafresh
Hey – She’s Not 22!

 

I spend a lot of time online.  Working at an interactive agency, part of my job is staying up on the latest online trends which includes having accounts at several social media, community and networking websites. Recently, I inadvertently came across the profile of someone I knew, my niece, and I was surprised to find [...]

The “Bad” Words

Sep 19th, 2008 | By adjustafresh

The “C-word” – it’s one of the worst words in the English language.  Whenever I hear one of my two children utter this word, they know that there will be consequences.  Under no circumstances are my children allowed to say, “can’t.” Here’s how I’ve helped eliminate “can’t” (and a few other words) from the conversation.
In [...]

Nuts!

Sep 15th, 2008 | By adjustafresh

When I was in grammar school, I didn’t know anyone with a life-threatening nut allergy.  Today, it seems to have become a far more common [...]