If you have children, they need to be part of the daily and weekly responsibilities of cleaning and maintaining the space they live in with their family. Remember to expect quality work and inspect a finished job. It is only fair that everyone who lives in a space contributes to the maintenance of the living area. Keep in mind that if your child does not learn to clean, cook and organize when they are growing up, what makes you think that they will know what to do when they become an adult? Most young adults are completely unprepared for adulting. Don’t let your kids be unqualified for independent living.

What is blooming outside your window? What is blooming inside your home? Any parent who loves the Lord personally should consider how to communicate spiritually with their child. Are your child’s spiritual roots growing deep? Are they planted a river of Biblical truth? Are they blooming from seeds planted by an intentional parent or mentor?

As a parent, you likely observe your child’s strengths and weaknesses in academics as well as other situations such as church and social opportunities. Our strongest qualities are often partnered with our greatest weaknesses. Establishing a pattern of intentional evaluation and planning creates a customized plan for developing the best in your child.

Home is God’s idea. Family is God’s idea. No matter the size of your home or family, living in your space necessitates daily and weekly cleaning. When routines are established, the rhythm of life creates more time for enjoying living in your home.

In 2014, on the day after Christmas, we loaded up the van and drove to Destin, Florida to spend five days with 24 family members.  It was a first for all of us. While that may sound overwhelming, it was a very memorable time that we were eager to duplicate. This first annual Vance Vacation was aimed at spending quality time together to build our family community. It worked. Check out how we accomplished such a large task. Don’t miss the helpful download full of “how-to” details.

Do you have these 20 Social Skills?
Some people have work skills and academic knowledge, but not social skills to propel them to success. Some negative social behavior actually repels people. Some people lack self-awareness to identify what is repulsive to others. Some know, but don’t care. Some fail to weigh the cost of not caring about their interaction with others.

Whether you would like to improve the relationship with a child, a spouse, a parent, in-laws, a neighbor, a co-worker or a friend… the kindness challenge promises to increase the positives. Kindness is powerful!! It could be your new superpower.

Being “centered” means that you have a reference point or a place to come back to when life’s challenges and emotions push you off balance. Tim, my husband, and I just completed an eight week pottery class learning how to work on the pottery wheel. One of the early skills any potter must master is […]

As we enter this new month, I propose a new thinking.  Why not approach this entire season with high hopes and low expectations?  High hopes for a renewed sense of joy, family, spiritual insight, memories, and enjoying the activities of Christmas.  Low expectations of myself being superwoman. Low expectations of my kids being perfect and more well-behaved.  Low expectations for my husband to meet my expectations. Low expectations for others in terms of what they might do for us. Finally, low expectations for next year and how it will be completely different.  When hopes are high and expectations low, it is easier to be delighted and grateful.