When food begins to rule your life

On the surface, eating disorders seem to be all about food and weight. In fact they are much more complicated than that. Eating problems, like any addiction, are strategies that some people use in an attempt to cope with difficult things going on in their life. However, because we have…

Low self esteem and your marriage

by Shana Schutte When Ed married Mona, he adored her red hair and freckles. Ten years later, he still admired them. One evening, as he gazed upon her beauty, he said, “Honey, I just love your red hair and your freckles.” “No you don’t!” she snapped. Ed was shocked and hurt. I do…

Power Parenting

I receive numerous calls and emailed pleas for help from parents of struggling teens every day. I’d like to share a few excerpts from the messages I received in my email inbox today: Well . . . on Christmas Eve, I kicked my daughter out of my house (she is…

Parental Sarcasm is No Joke

by Paul Coughlin When I was 11 years old, a teacher called our house to deliver some exceptional news. She told my mother that I qualified to be placed in a class for gifted students. My mother replied, “Him? He can’t even find his shoes in the morning!” That swift and…

Teen Identity

by Tiffany Stuart In many ways, Irish teens have never had it tougher. Perhaps a surprising statement, given Ireland’s obvious affluence compared to the rest of the world. If you’re a parent today, you know what I mean. Social pressures are more pervasive and destructive than ever before in Irish…

Tweens Need Prayer!

Written by Candy Arrington Pray for boldness My son confided that he had an inordinate fear of being incapacitated by illness or injury. He also feared home invasion when his dad was working in another state. He had these fears until he realized God could protect him and help him…

How Far is Too Far?

Written by Dr. Julianna Slattery What do I say if my teen asks, “What is outercourse? Is it sex?” The first thing for any parent to do in this situation is take a deep breath. Push away those images of your once six-year-old playing with LEGOS® or Sylvanian Families,® and…

Is your Child growing up too fast?

Before she was a teenager, Chloe* had a mobile phone. She also had her own bedroom complete with satellite TV and a computer with high-speed Internet access. By the time she was a young teen, she made regular salon visits and had an artificial tan that made her look much…