Practical Family Living

Parents Modeling Faith

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Every parent seeks to passon their faith. Taking a look at one example in scripture, we see how the everyday patterns of life provide a foundation in which a child may learn the reality of God's presence and decide for him/herself to believe in God

When Children Steal

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

There isn't a parent on earth who enjoys the idea of their child stealing. Understanding the possible reasons that children steal is foundational to knowing how to respond in discipline.

Communicating With Kids (and Adults!)

Practical tips are provided to help children pair emotions with words and a specific technique is described to improve communication for both kids and adults.

Teaching Children About Feelings

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Children need help in identifying what emotion they feel just as much as we do as adults. Here are some guidelines which are fun and a relaxing way to help your children learn what they may feel and when.

Elderly and Families: Intergenerational Respect and Love

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Suggestions on how family members can bring emotional, practical, and spiritual support to older loved ones

Abundant Attachment with God and Others

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Illustrates how parents and spouses can use Jesus' words from the Gospel of John for healthy attachment

Transitions and Change: A Tribute to Mr. Fred Rogers

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Changes in life can bring grief, stress, and a longing for the past. Article uses lessons learned from The Mister Rogers Show to show ways to lessen the trauma around transition.

Emotional Healing for Adults Through the Inner Child

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Christ's example of love and attention to children can be a model for adults to reconnect with childhood experiences to restore simple joys, spontaneity, and hope.

Trusting God in Trials and Sorrow

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Article depicts, through a teenager's story, how Christ will not delay his provision, safety, strength, and love when we endure trials and suffering.

Family Systems and Generational Bondage

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Article describes how past generational patterns can influence current family functioning, and how God can equip us in healthy family functioning.

How to Stop Bullying

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

Helpful suggestions and step by step plan to end bullying

Taking Care of Yourself Over Holidays After a Loss

Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC

After the death of a loved one, various holidays are difficult, especially Christmas. Here are specific ideas for moving through any holiday with gentleness toward yourself and your situation.

HAPPY KIDS, PEACEFUL PARENTS

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Nature is filled with the very nature of God Himself. Article explains how God can use His creation for uniting families through opening up communication, and simple enjoyment of one another.

Let There Be Peace in the Home: Helping Children Manage Stress During the Holiday Season

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

Children are just as vulnerable to experiencing holiday stress as adults. This article gives parents nine practical tips to help children manage stress associated with the holiday season.

Entitlement, Money and Families

Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC

This article describes what entitlement means and how families send messages to their children about money and entitlement.

Treasuring Children: Helping Children In Chronically Difficult Families

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Families where addictions and chronic stress or conflict dwell are especially difficult for children to cope with. Without a doubt, children in these settings have to work overtime to cope, survive and find a sense of safety that is different than most families. This article defines but a few things that can be done to make life and the development of who they are as children of God a bit easier.

Our Love Affair with Food

This article discusses forming healthy or unhealthy relationships with food at several stages in our development. Tips for being aware of the place of food in our lives and resources for developing a healthier relationship with food are included.

Supporting Safety In Our Schools

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Safety in the schools has become a major focus for parents and school officials. Based on an interview with an area school counselor, Brenda briefly outlines ways in which parents can actively support safety for their children.

CHILDREN AND ATTACHMENT WOUNDS, Part One

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Early trauma in a child’s life can result in attachment wounds in your child. Article describes how a specialized family therapy; Family Narrative Attachment Therapy, can help rebuild bonds between parent and child. Especially useful for foster and adoptive children.

WHAT I WISH MORE MEN KNEW

Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Men often do not know things like how much delight their children take in them. Here a therapist who has seen hundreds of men over the years outlines what she would like men to know. Things such as a woman relating from an accumulation of the days events when a man very often is relating in the here and now. Revelations are made in this article that will encourage men.

Men In Leadership: Brave Acts, Vulnerable Hearts

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Men in leadership roles in today’s society have unique challenges. This article encourages men to fill these roles with courage, vulnerability, identification and empathy.

Surprise, Surprise: Not Everyone Likes Their Family Christmas

Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Family gatherings are not always pleasant. We may not even like our family. What is the difference between like and love? This article tells how to separate behavior from the person or the family we are to love. We can not like or even accept behavior and still love the person. Separating the deed from the doer as we learn to love one another as we love ourselves is a big task. With God being invited into the center of this command, we will be able to follow it.

"The Talk"

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

The mere thought of having "the talk" about sexuality with their children often makes parents shudder and want to head for the hills. Parents take heart. This article encourages parents as it provides a step by step nonthreatening approach to discussing sexuality.

Encouraging the Growth Mindset in Children

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

Parents naturally want the best for their children and can be instrumental in helping their children become resilient to challenges. This article informs parents on recent research and ways they can encourage their children to have a growth mindset.

Preparing for the School Year

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Families enjoy the change summer schedules bring. It seems families adjust to the summer schedule then quickly find themselves facing a transition into a new school year. Implementing simple steps help manage this transition with greater ease. This article outlines these steps.

The Excitement and Challenge of Beginning School

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

Beginning school can be exciting and challenging for children and parents alike. In this article, Christine Vander Wielen provides parents with helpful guidelines to,, make the transition smoother for themselves and their children.

How to Talk about Trauma and Loss with Children

Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC

This article gives tips and insight for adults in explaining trauma and loss to children. Important points and understanding for both adult and child are given here. If you are a part of a child's life and you need encouragement for difficult conversations because of a loss a child experiences, this article will help you prepare in practical ways.