Mi Choza De Nipa

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY   From TODAY, Voices Tuesday, 24-February-2009   By Dr Bill Maier   It may be cute when a three year old tells tales, but if we’re not careful those little fantasies can grow into full-fledged lies as they get older.   Kids between the ages of three and five can’t always distinguish fantasy from reality.   And they often get a lot of attention when they make up little stories.   They don’t really understand that they’re lying; they just think it’s fun.   When they get older, though, these tall tales aren’t quite as harmless.   Sometimes kids tell stories as a way to get other kids to like them or to keep from getting into trouble.   It worked when they were little, so why shouldn’t it work now when they’re older?   It’s important to talk to our kids and make sure they understand the difference between the trut...

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY   From TODAY, Voices Monday, 23-February-2009   By Dr Bill Maier   Do you have a plan for your marriage? Too many couples idle through life without ever thinking about what they want out of their relationship and how to get there. But setting goals is important in every area of life – and what’s more important than your marriage?   My good friends, Drs Les and Leslie Parrot, encourage couples to “chart a course” for their marriage and here are just a few of the ideas they recommend.   Sit down each year and discuss your goals for the year to come. Write out what kind of relationship you want to have as a couple. List those things about yourself and your marriage that you want to change, and how you plan to change them.   Use this as your “marriage mission” statement for the coming year, and post it in a visible place. What better way to keep your marriage focused...

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY   From TODAY, Voices Friday, 20-February-2009   By Dr James Dobson   When my wife Shirley and I got married, we took a trip to a local resort. She quickly jumped into the pool before I could get there. There were sunbathers everywhere, and a lifeguard stood watch.   Shirley isn’t a strong swimmer. By the time she reached the deep end of the pool she was exhausted. She was seized with panic. “I’m going to drown,” she thought.   Now all she had to do was scream for help and the lifeguard and 16 swimmers would have been at her side. But to do so would have been greatly embarrassing.   Shirley decided she would rather drown than humiliate herself publicly. Fortunately, she managed to splash her way to the edge which she clung onto gasping for air.   You know, I’ve thought about that story many times, especially when I’ve seen panic-stricken people who are ...

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY   From TODAY, Voices Thursday, 19-February-2009   By Dr James Dobson   Children are extremely sensitive to issues of fairness at home, but is it really a worthwhile goal to give your boys and girls identical experiences in the name of fairness?   Family psychologist and author Dr Kevin Leman tells of a time a mother asked him about setting up different bedtimes and allowances. “Won’t the younger boy feel it’s not fair? They’re only two years apart!”   Dr Leman responded: “Why don’t you wait until the boys are 14 and 16. The 16-year-old will have a driver’s licence. You can suggest that your 14-year-old beat his fist on the counter at the traffic police department and demand one too!” The mother considered this response silly. And it is because life is not fair.   We can’t all be treated the same everywhere and every time. In the real wor...

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY   From TODAY, Voices Wednesday, 18-February-2009   By Dr James Dobson   The acrobat who walks the tightrope understands that there is one skill needed more than any other, and it is balance.   I remember watching the 1984 Olympics. One marathoner still stands out in my mind. She entered the coliseum dehydrated and off-balance, listing to her left and swinging her right hand. Almost unconscious, she ran the last lap and fell across the finish line into the arms of the race officials.   There are men and women today in the same condition – completely out of balance, just struggling to get across the finish line. During my 14 years at the USC School of Medicine, I saw a pattern in the lives of young students that demonstrated this.   During the first two years, the students threw every bit of energy into their work, to the exclusion of everything else. At first it seemed workable, but by...