Mi Choza De Nipa

By Dr James Dobson Have you heard the one about the wedding ceremony where the minister said: "Do you take this woman for better or for worse ? For richer or for poorer? In sickness and in health?" And the groom replied: "Yes, no, yes, no, no, yes." Of course we'd all like to sign up for the better parts when we get married and forget all that other stuff but that's not the way marriage works because that's not the way life works. Many young people go into marriage today with one eye on the exit door. They intend to stay together as long as it seems advantageous to do so. But in most of these unfortunate cases, a painful divorce is just a matter of time. Because trouble in life is inevitable and the uncommitted marital relationship can be victimised when hard times inevitably descend upon it. But the good news is that a strong marriage can be a fortress against the stresses of life. The key to a lifelong relationship then, in good times and...

Image via Wikipedia By Dr James Dobson In case you haven't noticed , parenthood is a very guilt-producing endeavor, even for the dedicated professional. Since there's no such creature as a perfect parent, we subject ourselves to a constant cross-examination in the courtroom of parental acceptability. Round and round go the self-doubts and recriminations, and guilt becomes a constant companion. The best way to handle guilt is to face it squarely, using it as a source of motivation for change where warranted. I would suggest that parents sit down together and discuss their feelings. Write down your most troubling parental shortcomings. Then ask yourselves: "Is my guilt valid? Can I do anything about it?" Remember that none of us can be perfect parents. We get tired and frustrated, and disappointed and irritable, and it can affect the way we approach those little ones around our feet. Fortunately, we are permitted to make many mistakes through the years, provided the o...

Image via Wikipedia By Dr James Dobson Why do some children love to work, and others get depressed just thinking about it? Generally speaking, children learn what they have been taught. Some well-meaning parents think childhood should not be encumbered by work. But, if children aren't at least exposed to work at a young age, they may fail to develop the persistence and initiative required for successful living. Author Jean Lush says household chores should be divided into two general categories: Routine contributions and extra jobs. Routines, such as making beds or emptying dustbins, should be part of children's unpaid responsibilities. But extra jobs should provide opportunities to earn additional money. Furthermore, children learn by imitation, so concentrate on hands-on instruction. Working with an adult is the most enriching form of play for a child when handled correctly. Of course, teaching children how to work is itself difficult for parents. But the benefits of your...

By Dr James Dobson Have you ever played the "if only" game? I've played it, and I'm pretty sure you have too. All it takes is yourself, your spouse and one other person. The game goes like this: If only my wife was more like Judy. She fixes exotic dinners every night. She keeps a sparkling house. She even goes golfing with her husband when he wants her to. Or if only my husband was like Johnny. He's always bringing flowers for his wife, and he takes her dancing. And he doesn't slurp his soup at the dinner table. What's wrong with comparisons like these? For one thing, the conclusions we draw are based on a distortion. We're equating the obvious flaws and shortcomings of a person we know intimately with the public image of the person we idealise. In other words, that individual is imperfect too, though it may not be as apparent across a crowded room. Besides, the comparison game is specifically designed to insult our marriage partner, and weaken th...

Image via Wikipedia By Dr Bill Maier Would you know what to do if your child swallowed something harmful? Babies are always putting things in their mouths and sometimes they swallow things they shouldn't, like buttons or coins or even tiny toy parts. About 90 per cent of these things pass through their system in a couple of days with no harm. But sometimes things can get lodged in the stomach and this can cause problems. Coins are a common item that kids swallow, and some are made of zinc . When zinc mixes with stomach acid it begins to corrode and break down. This can cause ulcers or severe sickness. Button batteries, like you find in watches or cell phones , can cause the same damage if they're swallowed. If you know your child has ingested something, don't panic, but keep a close eye to make sure it passes through their system. Watch for signs of nausea or sickness. And call your pediatrician or poison control centre if you have any questions. From TODAY, Voices –...

Image via Wikipedia By Dr Bill Maier Some kids are natural born leaders, but most kids tend to be followers. That's not a bad thing, as long as they're following the right people. All kids struggle with peer pressure , but those who are followers seem to be more easily swayed. And when children group together, a definite pecking order starts to develop. The leaders will soon be calling the shots, and most will likely follow them. But smart kids know when to tag along and when to quietly slip away. Teach your kids how to recognize when someone is a bad influence. Ask them specific questions about their friends, like: "What kind of language does Johnny use?" or "Doesn't Cindy get into a lot of trouble at school?" Find out who they're playing with and why, and help them think through their choices of playmates. Most kids want to stay away from trouble; sometimes they just need a little help recognising the warning signs along the way. From TODAY, Voi...

Image via Wikipedia It's not about the birds and the bees anymore… How to talk with your kids about sex when they thing you're clueless. By Maggie Karner Thank you for coming today. That not only tells me something about your desire to be an effective parent. It says you love your children and are looking for God's guidance, but it also sends an important signal to your kid. I wanted to talk with you individually because I want to encourage you in your "vocation" as parent. This is the doctrine of vocation. The term literally means "calling." According to Luther, every Christian is called to particular offices and tasks, through which God Himself works to govern and care for His created order. Lutheran author and educator Gene Veith says "God teaches through teachers; He protects us through the vocations of police officers, firefighters, soldiers and government officials; He brings beauty through artists; He proclaims His Word and administers His S...