No matter how many different types of resolutions we choose to write down and work on this coming year, all the items on our lists are actually just one resolution. At first glance this statement may seem like an attempt to simplify resolutions to make successfully accomplishing them easier. But understanding that all resolutions point […]
Resolutions Are All the Same, and That’s the Way it Should Be! Read More »
“Look what I got for Christmas,” said my friend Megan as she held up a single serving package of crackers with a small red stick for the spreadable cheese. At eight years old I was shocked. There I was holding my new doll and standing next to my doll’s stroller. Immediately I knew I needed
A Heart-Melting Christmas Read More »
In the United States we have a new president. Some people are elated about this and others are sorrowing. Regardless of where each of us is on this spectrum of election emotions, change is in the air. Change is difficult for all of us, but especially for children. Not only are the children of the
Helping Children Feel Secure in an Emotional and War-Ridden World Read More »
The first cellular phone became available to the public in 1984. By 2007 Apple had made the Apple iPhone, which has since taken the cellular phone world by storm. In 23 short years, society went from brick-sized phones to handheld computers. Today, smart phones are everywhere. Even many of the tribal people in Africa now
Is Giving a Child a Smart Phone Smart? Facts to Consider Read More »
When I was young my mother traditionally made clam chowder in bread bowls for our Halloween dinner. It was hot, yummy and fast — which allowed us to quickly move along to the Halloween fun. One year, all those many years ago, my mother dispensed with clam chowder and made dinner in a pumpkin. It
Dinner in a Pumpkin: Our Halloween Tradition Read More »
Sometimes, no matter how diligently parents try to teach their children and unify their families, they are met with opposition. Sunday Evening 1986 “It’s time for family council,” said Dad, as usual one Sunday evening. “How long is it going to take?” “We hate family council!” “Urgh!” “I’m tired. Can I go to bed?” said
Hope For Homes Everywhere! Read More »
Goals and commitments: what is the difference between these two? And shouldn’t there be synthetic consequences for goals as well as commitments? Listen to this audio to learn more!
Goals And Commitments: Consequences For Both Read More »
“Let’s stay at home for a while,” suggested my children after a month full of fun day trips, camping trips and cousin time. Even though they love all of these activities and seem to be able to go forever, they do need time at home too. While discussing our August schedule at a family council
The Best Activity Place for Children Read More »
“There is no substitute for hard work.” (Thomas Edison) Years ago, when I was planning a Teaching Self-Government trip to China, a good friend of mine said, “Nicholeen, what are you going to tell parents in China who don’t understand why their child should earn an extra chore? Most parents don’t have their children do
4 Ways to Help Children Enjoy Chores and Become Good Workers Read More »
High-functioning Autism/Asperger’s can cause children to have a hard time focusing on the task at hand. Simple tasks often becomehour-long undertakings,ending up with parent andchild frustrated and angry.
Helping Children With Asperger’s To Stay Focused Read More »
While sitting at an airport I saw a darling girl, maybe age 14, sitting on a different row of seats than the rest of her family. The parents and brother were talking and trying to engage her in their activities and conversation, but she was in her own little world and would not participate. For
6 Digital Dangers & Sensible Solutions for Families Read More »
In November 2015 we visited Kenya and taught many religious leaders, teachers, social workers, family advocatesand parents how to teach self-government in Kenya. It was the first time we did a training like this outside of the United States. When we departed, we had a prayer in our hearts that the wonderful Kenyan TSG mentors
Self-Government Teachers In Kenya Report In This Video Read More »
Fighting over seat positions in the car, teasing, bragging, one-uping… Does any of this sound familiar? Do situations like these arise frequently in your home between your children? These situations are classified assibling rivalry.It can be very distracting and disruptive in the home.
What Inspires Sibling Rivalry? Read More »
It really is shocking. Society is transforming tremendously fast. In the past 10 years the United States has become drastically divided as a nation on important issues like the value of life, the value of religious institutions and morals, and the value of the natural family — as well as what constitutes proper education. The
Counter-Cultural Parenting Part 1 Read More »
Recently I was invited to be a guest speaker on the Joyful Living Podcast with Quinn Curtis. The presentation was completely new and really spontaneous! I think you will like it. Some of the topics covered are: Entitlement issues in children What joyful living looks like How to balance home life and work or other
Nicholeen Talks About How She Lives Joyfully And MUCH More! Read More »
This is a video of a new, exclusive class I gave at the World Congress of Families IX, a conference that brought together speakers from all over the world to talk about the family.
New Exclusive Class! Merry Christmas! Read More »
Every year I read Christmas stories to my children each morning for the twelve days of Christmas, and then on December 23rd we read stories and sleep under the Christmas tree for Christmas Eve Eve. It’s one of our favorite Christmas traditions. One story that always gets read on the build-up to Christmas Eve Eve
Christmas Gift Of Identity Read More »
I’ve never liked the part in the Christmas song It’s Beginning To Look Like Christmas when it says “Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again.” Every time I hear this it makes me sad. Sad that parents wouldn’t enjoy their children and that they would want them to go away, and
Christmas Contention Resolved! Read More »
“You have blessed our lives and our families so much.” “Thank you so much for coming to teach us! You have to come back. Kenya is a big place. We need more teachings like this.” “I have to admit that I never thought anything good ever comes from America. You have proven me wrong. This
Kenyans Show Gratitude For Self-Government Teachings: Our Report Read More »
There is hardly a day that goes by that I don’t find myself laughing, belly-laugh type laughing, with my children. Just the other day Porter and I were driving down the road and I mixed my words up which was kind of comical. When this happened, Porter started laughing. Then I started laughing. We ended
Laugh Therapy For Families Read More »