The Love of Mom!

Being a mom can be the most rewarding, frustrating, and fantastic role of a lifetime!  Most every mom I’ve met is doing the best they can raising their adolescent son(s).  They don’t need me telling them how hard it is, but they do need help understanding what a boy goes through as he transitions to…

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Parent(s)-Is Your Family “Shame Based?”

When I begin working with a family; usually regarding their son, during an initial assessment I can discern quickly if it’s a “shame based” family.  Shame based families are about controlling behavior to conform (i.e. shame more to get behavior we want). Whether intentional or unintentional it’s fundamental that we clean that up first. Here’s why….

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Parenting Alert! New Normal=New Concerns

The “new normal” and its effect on kids is beginning to show very serious concern.  Red flags are popping up all over the United States; stories of teen suicide and depression are heartbreaking.  As a parent, in addition to the many other obligations you have, it’s time to pay close attention to signs of depression,…

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Teach Your Son Accountability

Teaching your son accountability is as important as teaching honesty, empathy and integrity. Often accountability gets overlooked as a core value; when in fact it’s one of the most important!

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“The Train of Life”

Periodically I am moved by a poem or quote that I have read or received.  If you follow me, you know that one of those poems is by Rudyard Kipling “If.”  Recently one of my dear friends, my United States Air Force buddy sent me this.

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Meet “Phoney:” The New Nanny!

Let me introduce you to “Phoney” the new reliable, relatively inexpensive nanny.  Its very busy these days; responsibilities include entertaining, and in some cases educating your son.  Not my son, what’s he talking about you ask?  Does your son have a phone?  If the answer is “yes,” you’ve likely allowed the phone (who I refer…

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4 Parenting Tips: Raising Young Men 17-19

It’s not easy raising boys 11-13 and 14-16 years old.  However young men in the 17-19 age group are unique and I’ll tell you why.  They are (or should be) young adults at this point.  That doesn’t mean you stop parenting but more importantly, he needs your help “preparing for” critical next steps.  The most…

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5 Parenting Tips: Raising Young Men 14-16

Are you raising a young man 14 to 16-years-old and you are concerned because he’s pulling away from you (mom and/or dad)? He suddenly thinks he knows everything, and you know nothing!  Here are some helpful tips:

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5 Parenting Tips: For Boys 11-13

Looking for parenting tips on what’s happening with your 11-13 year old son? I’ve worked with over 2,000 boys for more than 20 years in The Quest Project® a 10-week Modern Day Rite of Passage® program.   We meet in age appropriate groups: 11 to 13, 14 to 16, and 17 to 19-year-olds. Here I focus…

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