Growing in Goodness & Kindness

Goodness and kindness are two of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galations 5:22-23) that tend to be hard to pin down specifically.  To be kind is to be good.  To do good is kind.  Here are some helpful thoughts that may help you differentiate goodness and kindness and apply them to your family and community. Goodness (Focusing on the moral aspect): Morally honorable (people of integrity) Intrinsically good Pleasing to…

Growing in Self-Control

We are nearing the end of the school year.  It is a time of joy and anticipation as students graduate, and summer is just around the corner.  At the same time, it is almost the end of the school year!  There are tests, projects, year-end activities, . . . when did it get so busy?  And then to think:  Will Joey ever remember to bring home his lunchbox?  Will Hailey…

Dear Joyce, How do you deal with temper tantrums?

Dear Joyce, I have a child (2nd born) who exhibits temper tantrums.  She will scream real loud in short bursts and will not let me help her (sometimes the screams are because she is frustrated with something – like not being able to put clothes on right, but won’t let me help her).  I just walk out of the room when it’s a tantrum of disobedience to signify that that’s…

Love & Marriage Q&A – More than a couple

How do you split holidays between families?  How do you start telling your parents that you want to have holidays with your own family (wife and kids), alone, sometimes? First, come to agreement as a couple.  Then, both of you meet with each parent.  It is best if the one presenting the decision is the child of that parent.  That way parents deal with both of you and can’t blame…