It is so important, for parents who want to be influential in their child's life, to focus first on the relationship. That may mean that you miss out on a few parenting or lecture opportunities and it may mean that a few things slide. At the end of the day however your goal should not be to capitalize on every potential teaching moment but to capitalize on every relationship moment. Don't let an opportunity to say "I love you" pass you by, and seek first for opportunities

Loving parents often struggle with giving consequences while at the same time protecting their child from consequences that are natural. For example protecting them from school rules while eliciting yelling, punishment, and lectures. If a lesson can be learned and you don't have to be the bearer of the consequences, why be the bad guy? Also, never protect from a consequence or give a resource if you are going to resent it. If you are expecting a certain reaction you will p

One of the scariest crisis’s a parent can be faced with is when a teenager attempts, threatens, talk about, or seems to be contemplating suicide. It is vital that you know what to do and when to do it. First off, do not be timid about making a boundary regarding the threat of suicide. What that looks like is "I love you and if you are suicidal I will either take you to the emergency room myself or I will call the police department for help.” Do not doubt yourself or worry abo