Don't forget Valentine's Day!!!!!!!!!

What ever you do--don't forget Valentine's Day!

Daily Stress

Our youngest son, Jaydon, was born with Autism. Jaydon is five and we have four teenagers ranging in age from 12 to 15. It is very trying just to get through the day most days. My wife, Connie, and I survive by eating nachos and cheese--and lots of it. My tip for today is: when you are stressed out eat your favorite comfort food together--it might save your marriage! If you have allot of stress as a parent leave me a comment.

A Child's Love

My parents split up when I was eight years old. My mom left because my father was an abusive alcoholic. I used hear my mom scream when my father was breaking down the door after he had been at the bar drinking and whoring all night. My mom would throw plates at him to keep him from advancing on her. I am surprised he was never charged. Those details never deterred me from loving my parents. I seen their sin; yet never counted it against them. A child's love for the parent is truly unconditional. This is pure love. When I was a child I looked up to my parents. Then when I got a bit older. Probably around 11 or 12 I started to see my parents weaknesses. Then as I developed into a young adult their faults became more and more apparent.

I have my own children now. My eldest is fourteen. When he was five he thought I could repair anything. I remember he used to say, "Get your tools daddy!" My son thought I could repair anything he brought me with my tools. I could not always repair the item; but that did not seem to stop him. Back then he did not remember or see what I could not do; he only remembered what I could do. He only saw the best in me. I guess that was true of how I seen my son as well. I have to admit that now I do see the faults of my children as well.

I want to be more positive when dealing with my teens; but I am finding it hard to read my son. I wonder if he being honest with me and how many secrets is he keeping from me and his mother. I say this because recently some secrets have come to light regarding my eldest son. I will not get into detail here about what or where or whatever. The point is when I heard about it I could not believe my ears. I was shocked! I confronted my son about what he had done and how he concealed the truth. I believe he is sorry and will not repeat the mistake. I believe things are getting better now; but he will have to earn my trust back. I just want my children to know I love them unconditionally just like they did when they were little. We should all be more encouraging as parents. Let us try to see their strengths and magnify those strengths with words of encouragement. For example:

• "Look at what you've done!
  
• That's awesome!"
  
• "You are awesome!"
  
• "You are beautiful."
  
• "You're sure good at that!"

Family Tradition

Family traditions are important to observe regularly. We just came back from one of ours. We go to dinner at my mother in-law's every Sunday evening. It was my eldest daughter's birthday so we had the cake and gifts over there as well. There are plenty of times I don't feel like going over there because I am tired or whatever. The children really like going to see grandma. So we go week after week. I hope my kids do the same when they have children of their own.

What kinds of traditions does your family observe?

Emoticons

My teens are emoticons. Emoticons are those little happy faces you can download for messaging services like MSN. I was thinking today how often teenagers change their moods.

"Mom, I am not hungry."
"I am going to go to bed."
"I am not going to bed its too early."

I thought to myself--my kids are emoticons! They can change their moods faster than I can change my emoticon. What do you do about it? Can you or I do anything about it? I think if you just go with the flow they will grow out of it.

Reach out to your teen when you feel they may be experiencing emotions which seem out of character. Listen to him or her--don't take over with ready made answers. Your teen has to learn how to deal with their problems themselves.