Forgiving Dad

by Susan Graham Mathis Finding true freedom was a hard journey for the Katinas. The Katina children grew up in a home defined by fear, alcoholism and abuse. Their father had served in the Vietnam War and returned home a broken and violent man. Later, when their father became a…

So You are going to be a Daddy

Written by Joseph Schneller You’re just about to find out your wife’s pregnant with your first child. Your friend, Nate (father of two), has said that having a child represents more life change than getting married. Your wife’s about to find out that babies aren’t the only ones who lie…

Pushover Parenting

A leaving cert student fails her English class after plagiarising a paper, receiving an F on her final exam and failing to show up for a make-up session for a botched assignment. Told that their daughter will not be allowed to finish with her friends, her parents threaten to sue…

When is it Time to have The Talk?

Written by Sheila Seifert Bob Gresh said, “Robby, I want to talk with you about sex.” His 10-year-old son said, “I learned about sex on the Internet.” Those were not the words Bob wanted to hear. “You’ve learned about sex on the Internet? Could you explain to me what sex…

Loving Your Wayward Child

“I don’t have to put up with this. I’m outta here!” Amber stomped to her room. I don’t remember what the issue was, but a couple of hours later, Amber was gone. Several frantic days later, we discovered that our leaving cert student was living with two older guys. The…

The Wonders of Reality Discipline

This clever discipline method is less exhausting and more successful than ranting, raving, blaming, pleading, begging or threatening. by Shana Schutte I once read a newspaper headline that made me chuckle: “Red Lipstick Empowers Women.” The caption, coupled with a photo of Marilyn Monroe wearing a white flowing dress and…

The Involved Father

Fathers are just as essential to healthy child development as mothers. Psychology Today explained, “Fatherhood turns out to be a complex and unique phenomenon with huge consequences for the emotional and intellectual growth of children.”1 Erik Erikson, a pioneer in the world of child psychology, asserts that a father’s love…