We Could All Use a Little Change
I’m a grumpy old man. If you don’t believe me, just take a look at the picture of me that usually accompanies my column–a grumpy old man yelling at his phone. One thing that makes old men grumpy is that they get set in their ways. Grumpy old men don’t like things to change. The […]
Teaching Your Kids the Importance of Overcoming Failure Like Henry Ford
“This is too hard! I can’t do it!” “Nobody likes me. I have no friends.” “I’m the worst at [art/soccer/math]!” “I know I won’t be good at that, so I’m not even going to try.” “I’m going to fail my [math/science/history/English] test.” As a parent, you’ve probably heard at least one of the above self-defeating […]
Not a Matter of If, But When: Preparing Your Children for the Digital Reality
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my children, my future grandchildren, and the world they’re growing up in. Many parents, myself included, want to believe their children won’t encounter online pornography — but the reality is starkly different: it’s not a matter of if a child will be exposed to pornography, but when. And […]
The Mystery of The Rake in the House—Nifty Tricks Martha Stewart Might Not Have Thought of
Editor’s note: Trudy Peck is a longtime columnist who, in recent times, has been revisiting her old advice columns with an updated version of what she would say now. From Nov 2010: The leaf rake tucked between the stove and fridge has drawn many questioning looks and sometimes I explain (why it’s there). In a […]
The Secret Bridge to the Hearts of Our Children
I remember many years ago, our family was walking around the riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. Our kids were young then with my second oldest son, Cameron, around 4 or 5 years old. We were all together but there was a dense press of people all around us. Suddenly, I realized Cameron was not with […]
Fixing a Friendship: An Updated Version
Editor’s note: Trudy Peck is a longtime columnist who, in recent times, has been revisiting her old advice columns with an updated version of what she would say now. Then: Jun 30, 2012 My daughter’s friend suddenly decided that they were no longer friends and has avoided my daughter ever since. My sad girl, let’s […]
‘Treat Him Like Everyone Else’ Goshen Woman Shares What it’s Like to Have Son with Spina Bifida
October is spina bifida awareness month, and one Goshen family knows firsthand the challenges and the unique opportunities that come with having a child born with this rare birth defect. Eight years ago, Dory Mast found herself in her doctor’s office for her 20 week visit, when the ultrasound revealed that her son, Dustin Mast […]