by Clark Shaeffer My bestie “Nephi” and I made up a new gospel metaphor that might be overrated and maybe already thought of but we like it. “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Everyone knows this phrase; but what’s to it? Bad stuff (lemons) will always come. It rains a little bit every day.
One of the questions I ask my clients a lot is, “What’s wrong with disagreeing?” Disagreeing is essential in Duncan and my relationship. It has reduced our arguing by miles and miles. For us, it is okay to agree to disagree. Natalie Clay says, “This relates to all sorts of different things: “I don’t want
Introducing Natalie Clay: Great Couples Coach Read More »
Parenting Tips are all around us, but which ones can you trust? Trust this book. Lorraine Alldredge compiled her best advise in this parenting treasure. These tried and true ideas if you are: Frustrated by bored children watching too much on Netflix? Upset because your kids are spending too much time on video games? Looking
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You may have to be old to appreciate this kind of humor, but have you heard of Jeanne Robertson? She is a white-haired Southern comedian who calls her husband “Left Brain” and wears sequins. My mother introduced her to me and I can’t help but share it. CLICK HERE for one of her many hilarious
HERE IS THE REAL ME: I have been parenting, teaching, coaching, loving Duncan and doing other important things. My children, second graders, young athletes, and piano students are wonderful. I have also been cleaning, cooking, listening, driving, mowing the lawn and doing other filler things that cause every day to go by really fast. We
What are you feeling pressure to do? Take ownership of your life. Read More »
My kids are the best! That is what every parent should say. I am sure there are more “perfect kids” out there just like there SURELY are more “perfect moms” out there, but my kids are the best for me and I LOVE THEM TO PIECES! Families are an important part lasting happiness that we
My Kids Bring Me Happiness Read More »
ROAD TRIP 2018 – 26 states (Focus on New England States) I have been in 49 of the United States. Just missing North Dakota! – camped 10 nights in a row, 13 total – drove 6, 920 miles We have our routine. Setting up, cooking and taking down camp is like our “farm.” Our kids
Road Trip to New England States (driving and camping, driving and camping…) Read More »
The Book of Mormon, ladies and gentlemen, is the best book on the planet. A week full of service, study, and teaching The Book of Mormon changes lives, mine included. Aside from teaching the investigators we already have, we had a blast serving our bums off setting up chairs for, playing with and taking care
The Book of Mormon is the Most Important Book on the Planet Read More »
Anyone can correct me or ignore me or add alarm to this. Feel free. I support all families that have more strict rules than we do. Video games, to me, have seemed like a necessary evil. The draw of them would have pulled my kids away from our home – to their friends houses –
My Advice on Family Video Game Management Read More »
A Musical Mother: Jenny Oaks Baker Jenny shares many wonderful parenting tips in her latest podcast with LDS Perspectives. CLICK HERE to listen. – Work first, play later. “Sometimes we see the reward from working hard and sometimes we don’t and that is okay. Sometimes we get paid for hard work (there is nothing wrong
Excellence in Parenting with Music Brings Me Closer to Heaven Read More »
“I started the Appalachian Trail on Friday. It goes from Georgia to Maine. It’s absolutely amazing!! I’m tremendously grateful to God for the blessed life I lead. Thanks so much for all your kindness and support! Enjoy your summers and be sure to keep in touch!” (JD Shaeffer, Facebook.com) J.D. is still “pinching himself” because
On the Appalachian Trail Read More »
My blog is full of the ordinary, to bring some reality to the media. I am a great mom who makes mistakes, avoids cleaning, and can’t get-it-all-done, like most people I know. LIKE YOU, I am extraordinarily blessed with a great family, and opportunities to make a positive difference in this world, one day at
Parenting Your Best is Good Enough Read More »
We all make mistakes or loose motivation to keep going. Laugh about it and start fresh.
I know Heavenly Father hears my prayers. I have felt His love enough times, while praying, that I can picture Him REALLY caring about me. I am so grateful for to know that Heavenly Father is there for me. You need to know this for yourself. Pray. Ask Him if He is there, and then
Active listening allows a parent to connect with their child. Connecting skills keep your relationship strong. You want your teens to trust that you will support their development. Active listening communicates that you REALLY care about your child. “Listen earnestly to anything [your children] want to tell you, no matter what. If you don’t listen
Parent Listening Skills Read More »
by J.D. Shaeffer We had stake conference over the weekend. For those of you unfamiliar with what that might be, it’s a large meeting where many members of the Church that live in close proximity of each other come together to hear from their leaders. It’s always a time filled with immense learning and I
Good, Better, or Best? Read More »
I’ve often wondered if my kids are addicted to video games. Since they only play them on the weekend and we have stayed informed about the games they play, I don’t think so…check out this quiz to see if your kid is a video game addict. Still, if given the choice, they would rather stay
Is my Child Addicted to video games? Read More »
When I was a child my sisters and I would dress up like angels (we didn’t always look and act like angels) and act out the Christmas Nativity Story for family and neighbors. This tradition taught us the meaning of Christmas and built our confidence. We also built stronger family ties and developed our speaking
Christmas Nativity Speaking Parts for Kids – Luke 2: Free Download Read More »
This morning I was tired. The thought of supervising the kids on the summer goals seemed a burden. Funny. I had just written a question to pray about. “How can I teach my children to use their time wisely, make time for scripture reading, use their money wisely, and observe the commandments of God?” I
Take Responsibility as a Parent Read More »