“Boooring…”
This word has become the ultimate putdown. If a party is “boooring”, it is a total disaster. Or if a class is “boooring”, the teacher is the epitome of failure.
I recently heard that in Michael Crichton’s novel Timeline, a character made this insightful remark:
“In other centuries, human beings wanted do to be saved, or improved, [...]
I noticed that I talk quite a bit about having fun and laughter in the home.
I suppose this is because I hear too often from teenagers that home is not a place they want to be. They are bored at home; their parents nag them; they would rather be out with their friends.
It is understandable [...]
What do you remember about your parent’s home when you were growing up? Was it a warm and loving place to come home to? Was there laughter? Did you enjoy being with your family?
Do you remember kind and loving words said to you by your parents? Or was there negativity and criticism, shouting and fighting?
I [...]
I am a substitute teacher, and I think teachers have the hardest job in the world! To be surrounded by 20-30 little kids all day and trying to keep them on task is stressful to say the least. I substitute occasionally, and that’s about all I can handle!
And when it comes to being a parent, [...]
What do you make of what happened with Balloon Boy Falcon Heene?
Six-year-old Falcon Heene was thought to have drifted up in a helium balloon on Thursday. The authorities were in a frantic rescue operation that involved military helicopters and briefly shut down Denver International Airport. When the balloon came to a landing, the boy was [...]
My 20-year-old daughter earned a little money working as an intern for an engineering firm this summer. As she had to decide where to spend her hard-earned money, it was an exercise in clarifying her values while learning more about herself.
She had no qualms about spending a sizable amount of money taking her little sister [...]
I finally have something to say to those who ask, “What did you do this summer?”
“We went to Japan!”
With the popularity of anime, Nintendo, and cool cell phones, my kids have been wanting to see Japan. After saving up for a couple of years, our family took the long-anticipated trip. We just came back from [...]
The flowers shops are packed on Mother’s Day; the phone lines are overloaded on Mother’s Day.
Father’s Day? It doesn’t set any records.
Dads are usually not the sentimental type, they are not the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. But of course, they would love some attention too, on Father’s Day.
Here are a few suggestions on [...]
Are you surviving TV Turn-Off Week so far?
Whether or not you are committing to having no TV this week, having plenty of family time is what I would like to encourage. Fun family time is one of the primary ways to convey your values to your children, affirm your love for each other, and supply [...]
Kids are not the only ones who need to drink milk. You’re probably getting your calcium without knowing it from the lattes you drink each day.
Drinking lattes is a ritual millions of Americans look forward to every morning. But at about $3 dollars for a small cup, it’s a luxury that could cost nearly $1100 [...]
I love to read. I just finished reading a book that my sister recommended, Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah, a true story of her life.
Adeline was born in the 30’s and grew up in an affluent family in China. Â As the youngest of five, their mother died after giving birth to Adeline. Carrying the [...]
I hope you had a chance to share a few special moments with your love ones.
Here are 14 things I love to do with my family:
1. Watching Mary Poppins while enjoying brownies with ice cream.
2. Playing video games together.
3. A stroll together after dinner under a clear night sky.
4. Staying up late playing a board [...]
One of the best gifts to give your children is a good marriage between you and your spouse. But it’s a common experience that after couples have children, they have less time for each other.
No doubt, children are demanding. We give them our time, energy, and affection. Then there’s nothing left for our spouse.
I am [...]
Why is it that with all the “time-saving” devises we have, we are busier than ever?
Running from one activity to another, one meeting to another, one appointment to another…
Has life gotten so busy that you don’t have time to spend with your children? Is your time together merely “doing” and not “connecting”?
Here are some suggestions [...]
I mentioned here before, my mother-in-law lives with us.
While there are certainly many adjustments, there has also been many benefits.
One of the most important advantage is that my children get to have an intergenerational relationship. Yes, grandma makes them whatever they want to eat. Grandma buys them stuff when we go shopping. Grandma does [...]
The problem with New Year resolutions is that the year is too long. We lose steam after the initial enthusiasm to go the 12-month distance.
However, making New Year resolutions is a good thing. New and renewed commitments keep us from merely drifting with the tide.
So I suggest making bite-sized MONTHLY resolutions. Make one resolve a [...]
“The economy is tough this year, please don’t worry about spending much; I am telling my kids not to expect much from people, it is the thought that counts.”
That email from my sister-in-law reminded me to have that talk with my own kids this year.
How about you? Have you prepared your children yet?
Here is [...]
I’m going out to buy the turkey today…and getting ready to feed 20+ people at my house on Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It’s not a huge ado with presents and all that, but it’s enough of an excuse to bake pecan pies and pumpkin bread, get the house cleaned up, and pass [...]
In Southern California, we are really feeling “winter” fast approaching…with high of 83 degrees today.
For the rest of those in the Northern Hemisphere, here is an inexpensive cool item to get for the holidays.
Set up and clean up is easy.
This makes a great family night for the holidays. Make a crockpot of chili, [...]
If you have more than one child, you know it is unrealistic to think you can treat them all “equally.”
With different interests, personalities, and ages, it is impossible to be “equal.” The pie cannot be cut precisely the same. You can hear it already – “It’s not fair; he got the bigger piece!”
Our standard response [...]
In the course of the day, with meals to cook, messes to clean up, and homework to do, it seems inappropriate to talk to your children about those deeper issues of life.
Yet, as days and months pass, pants get outgrown and the training wheels are off, it seems inappropriate to not have talked to your [...]
I recently came across the story of Bill Havens. The name is not a familiar one, but he is a hero to me.
In 1924, Bill was set to go to the Olympic games in Paris to compete in the newly added sport canoeing. He was in fact favored to win the gold for the United [...]
“We have two chances at a parent-child relationship.”
This is one of the most significant lessons I learned from Dr. Laura.
I don’t always agree with Dr. Laura, but she got me between the eyes with this one.
As new immigrants to the United States, my parents had to work a lot. They never attended any of my [...]
While we were at the cemetery paying tribute at my mother’s grave site (it’s been 9 years since her passing, I miss her), my 8-year-old nephew started running around with no apparent aim.
His mother and I looked at each other. “Where is he going?”
We nodded with mutual understanding: It doesn’t matter where he’s going. It’s [...]
“Mom, what can I have for breakfast?”
I yell from in front of the comfort of my computer screen: “There’s cereal. You can get it yourself.”
My 12-year-old is certainly old enough to get her own breakfast, why should I disturb my ease?
But there were nagging questions going on in my head:
1. Do I want to answer [...]
My mother-in-law lives with us.
You read it right. My mother-in-law lives with us.
My father-in-law passed away of cancer about 10 years ago, and she has been living with us for about that long now.
What is your reaction when you read this? People usually think I am either a martyr or a saint.
But the truth is, [...]
I haven’t had time to post the last few days – Summer vacation started!
Are your kids home for the summer like mine are? Do you find yourself out of routine, off schedule, and seem to get nothing done?
And it’s ok! It’s ok to do things differently; it’s ok to have no routine; it’s ok to [...]
Spring break is over! Tomorrow we start school again. Sigh!
We’ve had such a great time doing all the little things we don’t normally make time to do – play games, do craft projects, went to Griffith Park Observatory, my daughter stayed overnight at a friend’s house, and we stayed up late and woke up late, [...]
“I feel left out when you guys talk. I don’t know what you are talking about.”
As the third and youngest child, my daughter is 6 years behind our second child and 7 1/2 years behind her older brother. At the dinner table, we would be talking about getting ready for college when she is [...]
On Sunday morning we woke up early to make breakfast before church. I was cooking up some turkey sausages, my son was grilling blueberry pancakes next to me, my husband was dicing apples to put into our brown sugar oatmeal, and the girls were setting up the table. We sat down to a leisurely Sunday [...]
I am generally not a disciplined type of person. I am what my sister nicely termed “fluid.” I don’t do well with setting goals because I lose track, then feel guilty for not keeping my goals.
For people like me, setting very short term goals is a good way slowly ease our way to a more [...]
In our day of audio and video – ipods, mp3s, HD, etc., etc. – reading books still has a place in entertainment.
Nothing trains our imagination better than reading. Building vocabulary and writing skills all come from avid reading.
Many families have a habit of reading together before bed time. That is a great way to [...]
