How to Raise Grownups

As humans, it is instinctual for us to hold on tight when we feel like we are losing something. That instinct kicks into high gear during the teenage years because we feel like we are losing our kids. And, in a way, we are.

But, by holding on too tight, we fail to give our kids permission to fly into the lives they were born to live.

How do we let go? Listen in for all the details.

Download my free guide: 40 Skills Every Teen Ne...

We are leaving behind a rough year. Perhaps, you are looking back and wondering what you even accomplished. Maybe success feels elusive because mere survival felt like a feat.

Parenting is sometimes hard that way.

But what does parenting success even look like?

Is it kids who never fight or argue?

Is it kids who get accepted into top-tier universities?

Is it kids who become CEOs of prestigious companies?

Or is it something entirely...

If I have learned anything this year, it is that the future is uncertain, and there is so much I cannot control.

But how do we, as parents, prepare our kids to face an unknown future with confidence? How do we help them move forward with faith in themselves, come what may?

I am diving into that topic today. I will teach you four ways you can help your kids develop more confidence, complete with actionable tips you can implement tod...

I was almost 40 when I learned to ski. I use the word "learned" loosely because I still struggle to slow down, turn, or stop when on the slopes. I know one speed, and that is "GET OUT OF MY WAY BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SLOW DOWN!!"

It makes skiing interesting and a bit terrifying.

But, in parenting, speed is not the goal. We are in it for the long haul. It is a marathon, not a sprint, where steadiness will ke...

When I was a child, my mom always told me that I had to learn things the hard way. That was partly because I hadn't learned to take the advice of others who were further along the path than I. Instead, I had to try it for myself.

I have since become a little wiser. I try to learn as much as I can from others who have walked paths similar to mine.

Today, Greg and I are sharing three things we learned the hard way, including:

1. ...

The world is a crazy place these days. Sometimes, I wonder how I will succeed in raising righteous children when darkness seems to be multiplying by the second.

Amidst the growing tide of evil, however, Heavenly Father has provided us with instructions on how to navigate the landmines of our day. As we read and apply the scriptures and counsel of modern prophets, we will be safe.

But what instruction have we received?

We dive into ...

Everybody makes mistakes, including children. But sometimes, we, as parents, overreact to our kids' mistakes. We make their failures into huge obstacles instead of allowing them to be learning experiences.

When we blow mistakes out of proportion, we run the risk of damaging our relationship with our kids. When that happens, they may not feel comfortable coming to us when they make (sometimes big) mistakes.

Tune in to learn how ...

I am a big believer in teaching kids to be independent, but I haven’t always been that way. I am, in fact, a recovering control freak.

When my kids were young, I didn’t want to give them too much responsibility because I could do all the jobs better than they could. Not only that, but they were messy creatures. While they were learning to do things for themselves, disorder and chaos was the name of the game. But their messes turned...

A few months ago, I set out to create an online course to help parents raise competent and confident kids. I outlined the modules. I started to work through the content. But it was not flowing. I hit a wall. Something felt off, though I could not put my finger on what was wrong.

Over the past few weeks, I have been asking myself a million questions about how to proceed. My journey has led me to a place I never anticipated. I am get...

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of changes and emotions surrounding school. The Back-to-School experience has been anything but normal, resulting in a myriad of stress for my kids and, by extension, myself.

We are one-week into the new school year with a senior, a sophomore, and a seventh-grader, all doing online school: Zoom style. They will be unable to get back to the classroom until at least October. They are chomping ...

Since we are smack in the middle of July and many people are traveling and enjoying summer with their families, we are going to something a little bit different. Today, we are republishing Episode 5 of the podcast, which is our most popular episode to date. If you haven't listened to it yet, today is your lucky day! If you have listened, this is a topic that could always use a good refresher.

This episode stems from a listener ...

Life feels heavy lately. COVID-19 cases continue to rise. Political tensions are escalating in the US. Divisiveness and contention are everywhere. It feels like many of our freedoms are on shaky ground. Fear, anger, and intolerance for differing viewpoints are rampant.

Looking around at the dystopian world that has become our reality, I wonder If there is any rest for the weary. What will become of us? What will the world look like...

It is no secret that parenting is hard work. It is a huge responsibility to take a helpless infant and prepare them to be a functioning member of society. But it does not need to be the hardest thing you have done or will ever do in your life. While there will be difficult stages and problems that catch you off-guard, the overall experience can be relatively relaxed and joyful.

What is the key to a relaxed child-rearing experience?