Tip

December 14, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 76 Comments

23 Ways to Be a Good Parent | 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Day 2

23 Ways to Be a Good Parent

When I was twelve years old, I was frustrated with my mom about something.
“I’m going to write down how to be a perfect mom,” I told her. “And I’m going to keep it so I won’t treat my kids this way!”
“Go for it,” she told me. “And I bet you’ll change you mind about the things on your list once you have kids.”
I started that list, but I never finished it. I wish I would have. I bet they were things like later bedtime and watching all the popular movies. And my mom was right. That list would have changed, especially since I know now that there is no such thing as a “perfect” mom.
I love this quote by Jill Churchill: “The most important thing she’d learned over the years was that there was no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.”

How are you a good #parent? Share with @TriciaGoyer on her blog:

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I’m sure there are a million ways to be a good mom, but {with the additional help from my Facebook friends!} I’ve come up with twenty-three!
1. Be patient. ~Verna
2. Look at your child’s eyes when he talks to you.
3. Tell him, “God has BIG plans for your life. I can’t wait to see them!”
4. Listen to your children. Believe in them. ~Molly
5. Give your child a way to serve others . . . and praise her efforts.
6. Play his favorite board game even if it’s your least favorite.
7. Be willing to admit you were wrong—apologize to your children. ~Billy
8. Read to your child fifteen minutes a day.
9. When you are spending time with your children, be there 100%. No phones or distractions. Show them how it feels and teach them to give that gift to others. Time together, quality time, is so important in our busy-doing-so-much world. ~Shanyn
10. Make family dinners around the table a priority.
11. Learn how to say no and stick to it. ~ Bonnie
12. Love his father/mother.
13. Become a detective and discover your child’s unique gifts and talents, and then help her to develop them!
14. Focus on training more than discipline/punishment. Keep the training spirit. Don’t assume you’ve told them once or a million times and now they will never fail. ~Angie
15. Speak with kindness.
16. Breathe! ~Elizabeth
Read the rest of this post on For the Family !

12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Day 2

I’m celebrating Christmas with my favorite blog readers by giving away a different book pack each day! Today’s book pack is the Love Finds You Pack, which includes Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska, and Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana. Winners will be announced on my blog on Christmas day!
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December 14, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 76 Comments

23 Ways to Be a Good Parent | 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Day 2

23 Ways to Be a Good Parent

When I was twelve years old, I was frustrated with my mom about something.

“I’m going to write down how to be a perfect mom,” I told her. “And I’m going to keep it so I won’t treat my kids this way!”

“Go for it,” she told me. “And I bet you’ll change you mind about the things on your list once you have kids.”

I started that list, but I never finished it. I wish I would have. I bet they were things like later bedtime and watching all the popular movies. And my mom was right. That list would have changed, especially since I know now that there is no such thing as a “perfect” mom.

I love this quote by Jill Churchill: “The most important thing she’d learned over the years was that there was no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.”

How are you a good #parent? Share with @TriciaGoyer on her blog:

Click To Tweet

I’m sure there are a million ways to be a good mom, but {with the additional help from my Facebook friends!} I’ve come up with twenty-three!

1. Be patient. ~Verna
2. Look at your child’s eyes when he talks to you.
3. Tell him, “God has BIG plans for your life. I can’t wait to see them!”
4. Listen to your children. Believe in them. ~Molly
5. Give your child a way to serve others . . . and praise her efforts.
6. Play his favorite board game even if it’s your least favorite.
7. Be willing to admit you were wrong—apologize to your children. ~Billy
8. Read to your child fifteen minutes a day.
9. When you are spending time with your children, be there 100%. No phones or distractions. Show them how it feels and teach them to give that gift to others. Time together, quality time, is so important in our busy-doing-so-much world. ~Shanyn
10. Make family dinners around the table a priority.
11. Learn how to say no and stick to it. ~ Bonnie
12. Love his father/mother.
13. Become a detective and discover your child’s unique gifts and talents, and then help her to develop them!
14. Focus on training more than discipline/punishment. Keep the training spirit. Don’t assume you’ve told them once or a million times and now they will never fail. ~Angie
15. Speak with kindness.
16. Breathe! ~Elizabeth

Read the rest of this post on For the Family !

12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Day 2

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February 13, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 4 Comments

10 Tips for Young, Married Couples | Part Four

Young, married, need advice? This is the last post in this series, so please pass on these posts to any young, married couples you know! Read Part One. Read Part Two. Read Part Three.

10 Tips:

“Form a long-term relationship with a godly counselor whom you both respect. Let that person ‘walk beside your marriage.” ~Ronna Jones Snyder
“If your spouse’s friend is stirring up trouble between you and your spouse, get rid of that friend.” ~Linda Rand Halbur
“Meet your in-laws first. (I eloped before I met my in-laws, and it created quite a bit of discord.)” ~Becky Wheeler Guinn
“Never, ever allow the word ‘divorce’ to be spoken aloud, and control the tongue during arguments. It’s hard to take back the ‘ugly’ stuff spoken.” ~Kim Shaw
“The feelings of love will fluctuate with time and circumstances, but with commitment, you will press through.” ~Golden Keyes Parsons
“As a couple, you make all the rules. When the rules no longer work, change them.” ~David A Ross
“Love, respect, and honesty are key. And always, always keep the Lord in the center of your marriage.” ~Ellen Crosby
“Never, ever stop trusting that God is in charge. And keep talking to each other.” ~Becky Jacoby
“Take the long view. What is happening now/today isn’t necessarily so for the long term. Always try to picture yourself on the same team, fighting against the Enemy of your soul.” ~Laurie Ostby Kehler
“Never give up and always stay beside each other, especially during trials, sickness, loss, or financial struggles.” ~Angie Kay Webb

Like these tips?

Read Part One.

Read Part Two.

Read Part Three.

What are your tips?

February 11, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 6 Comments

10 Tips for Young, Married Couples | Part Three

I asked my Facebook friends who has been married for at least twenty years what advice they’d give to a young, married couple, and I loved their answers! I have such wise friends. Read Part One. Read Part Two. Read Part Four.

Pass on these posts to any young, married couples you know!

10 Tips for Young, Married Couples Part 3

“Look to the needs of the other first. Marriage isn’t a contest where the most spoiled one wins.” ~Patti Hill
“Communicate, never go to bed angry at each other, and remember the couch is for sitting, not sleeping.” ~MamaPeaches Smith
“A marriage without God and the presence of Jesus is absent of everything else. Let the Lord be the center of your life and the foundation of your marriage.” ~Mary Susan Vaughn
“Treat your spouse as you want to be treated. It’s the little things you sometimes do for each other that shows you care.” ~Susan Conceicao
“Be loving, patience, understanding, and faithful. Be a good listener and put your spouses first. Consult the Lord and pray!” ~Susan Schrader Perrin
“Reaffirm commitment and love daily—leave no room for doubt.” ~Mary Ann Hake
“Don’t bring old arguments into new ones. Past is past. Be willing to say you’re sorry and to forgive when you’ve been wronged.” ~Jan Jackson Peterson
“Your spouse is a gift from and still belongs to God. You are accountable to Him for the way you care for them. When both partners believe this and serve each other accordingly, there is a sweet peace and great pleasure in your marriage.” ~John D Seither
“Don’t compare your spouse to an unrealistic character from a book, movie, or TV show.” ~Stephanie Nickel
“Understand that marriage is hard work but the benefits are wonderful. And be prepared for hard times—as my husband of thirty years says, it’s during hard times that a couple grows into one.” ~Patty Smith Hall

Like these tips?

Read Part One.

Read Part Two.

Read Part Four.

February 7, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 10 Comments

10 Tips for Young, Married Couples | Part Two

I asked my Facebook friends who have been married for at least twenty years what advice they’d give to a young, married couple, and I loved their answers! I have such wise friends. You can Read Part One. Read Part Three. Read Part Four.

Pass on these posts to any young, married couples you know!

10 Tips for Young, Marriage Couples Part 2

“Keep the minor thing minor.” ~Carol Burton McLeod
“Respect, respect, respect. Don’t argue; discuss. Pray together about decisions. Don’t let the kids ‘play’ you off each other. Tickle often.” ~Lee S. King
“Always think longterm. In twenty years from now, will I be glad I fought for this? Will it be important in forty years that I got my way on this, or that he followed my advice, or that I didn’t really agree on this little thing? When I stand before God, will this be something I want to have come up and give account for on Judgment Day? How must I live with my man in order to hear God say to me, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy and rest of your Master’?” ~Carla Anne Funk Coroy
“Start out right, financially. Give every dollar a name before you spend it!” ~Regina Rudd Merrick
“Pray specifically for your husband, especially when you don’t feel like it.” ~Audra Krell
“Keep Christ first, maintain a sense of humor, look on the bright side (and there is always a bright side), and marriage is not 50/50—it’s 100/100.” ~Robin Bordwine Nichols
“After thirty-six years of marriage, I can honestly say that laughter—especially being able to laugh at yourself—plays a huge part in a marriage. Another biggie is to choose your friends wisely, i.e. don’t hang around with people who cut down their own or other spouses. Negativity breeds contempt. And finally, don’t give your man any reason to suspect you’re looking elsewhere because their insecurity leads to all sorts of unnecessary emotional trouble, to say the least.” ~Anita Mae Draper
“Don’t put anyone before your spouse . . . except Christ. Children come into your life and then they’re gone, but your spouse is forever. Laugh, laugh, and then laugh some more.” ~Annette O’Hare
“The three Cs: communicate, communicate, communicate. And the other three Cs: commitment, commitment, commitment.” ~Rachel Williams
“Be a servant to your spouse, put their needs above your own, just as Christ was a servant to us and laid down his very life for us. Cherish the spouse God specifically chose for you.” ~Laura Malear Bethuy

Like these tips?

Read Part One.

Read Part Three.

Read Part Four.

February 5, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 17 Comments

10 Tips for Young, Married Couples | Part One

I asked my Facebook friends who have been married for at least twenty years what advice they’d give to a young, married couple, and I loved their answers! I have such wise friends. Read on as I share 10 Tips for Young Married couple. Pass this on to any young, married couples you know!

“I’ve been married for thirty-four years. Treat each other with love and respect. Be each other’s biggest cheerleaders. Put God in the center of your relationship by praying for each other. Don’t badmouth each other in front of others.” ~Tamera Lynn Warden Kraft

“Keep the cross at the center of your marriage. Be willing to lose disagreements. You don’t always have to be right. And laugh together as much as possible.” ~Diane Day

“Pray with each other every day. Out loud, holding hands. Keep dating long after the wedding and especially after the kids come along. Remember a good marriage doesn’t just happen. You have to work at it.” ~Michelle Shocklee

“Actively keep love alive. Set aside time to be together. Go on dates. Use creativity to spark romance and keep the embers burning.” ~Dana Arcuri

“Laugh, forgive, play . . . ” ~Kathleen O’Donnell Grone

“Put each other before extended family. If they (family, parents, etc.) really love you, they will agree.” ~Penny Raine

“Never, ever cut down or criticize your husband in public or in front of your children or close family. Husbands thrive on encouraging and uplifting words from their wives. You can actually see them stand or sit higher when getting compliments from their wives. I haven’t been perfect at this, but I know the importance of it after twenty-six years of marriage.” ~Elizabeth Wehman

“Always remember that when you married, you made a vow to your spouse and to God. When things get tough (and they will), honor your vow to God.” ~Lucy Ann Moll

“Your spouse is not your enemy.” ~Pam Halter

“Divorce is not an option. And love covers a multitude of sins.” ~Michelle Strite Hortenberry

Like these tips? Read More!

Tips for Young, Married Couples: Part 2

Tips for Young, Married Couples: Part 3

Tips for Young, Married Couples: Part 4