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Don’t Be A “Wish I Would Of Parent”

January 18, 2012 in Gratitude,Heart,HOME,Irrational Parenting with 1 Comment

Parents, a day is rapidly approach when…

  • You won’t be able to pray with your kids on the car ride to school
  • You won’t have anyone to watch the big game with
  • Your kids’ will not want to crawl up in your lap anymore
  • You will sleep in on Christmas Day because your kids don’t live at home anymore (more…)

Do You Walk In Gripeitude Or Gratitude?

November 1, 2011 in character,Choices,Communication,Confessions Of A Parent,Dad,Gratitude,Mom with 0 Comments


Are you a parent that struggles to choose GRATITUDE over GRIPEITUDE? Yeah, I just made that word up, but let’s go with it.

So let’s be honest for a second… (more…)

Teach Your Kids How To Honor YOU!!

October 19, 2011 in accountability,character,Gratitude,HOME with 2 Comments

Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise:  If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-4

I tell my kids that this verse means…

Kids should honor their mom and dad or they will die when they are 16!! (more…)

10 Signs Your Raising An Un-Thankful Kid

July 18, 2011 in Gratitude with 6 Comments

10 Signs Your Raising An Un-Thankful kid…

  1. He screams for carrots when you try to feed him peas
  2. He gets up from the dinner table without offering to help clear the dishes
  3. He never says thank you after you slave over a hot cooked meal
  4. He complains when he is asked to share his stuff with brother or sister
  5. He is never satisfied with last year’s Members Only jacket and parachute pants, he has to have the new Genera fall line
  6. You have to use a bribe or scream to the top of your lungs to get him to do routine chores
  7. He “expects” new clothes, shoes and backpack for school
  8. He complains about having to work
  9. He is unmoved by simple acts of generosity or financial support
  10. He misses out on the joy of living life because he always “wants” more

I am convinced that kids are typically not thankful because parents have not led them to walk in gratitude and thankfulness.  That’s right!  Parents, this is a character quality that has to be nurtured, taught and fostered.  And this takes hard, in the trenches and consistent work.

Here is a simple idea that might help get your kids on the right track…

Each morning have your kids sit down and write out 2 things they are thankful for.  Ask your kids to write this down on a piece of paper, fold it up, put it in their pocket and keep it with them all day.  You can encourage them to pull it out throughout the day to serve as a reminder of what they are thankful for.  Ask them to pray each time they pull out the paper and ask God to develop a heart of gratitude in them.  Then, at family dinner or later that evening be sure to have your kids explain what they wrote down.  I encourage all parents to do this on a somewhat regular basis and I believe you will begin to see a heart change.

If your kiddos are too young to write, have this conversation with them on a regular basis.  As parents, we should “build” gratitude into them at a very young age.

Do your kids struggle with having an unthankful heart?

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I Wanna Talk About Me

November 23, 2010 in Gratitude,HOME with 1 Comment

Several years ago a mentor sat me down, spoke into my life and it changed me forever.  He said, “Chris, I want you to know that life is not all about you”.  He was right!  I was the star of my own show and I was first!  My life song was Toby Keith’s…”I want to talk about me”

I wanna talk about me
Wanna talk about I
Wanna talk about number one
Oh my me my
What I think, what I like, what I know, what I want, what I see
I like talking about you you you you, usually, but occasionally
I wanna talk about meeeeee (me,me,me,me-background singers)
I wanna talk about me (me,me-background singers)

This Thanksgiving (actually don’t wait until the Holidays), teach your kids that life is not all about them.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Mark 10:45

How Can Your Family Serve Together This Holiday:

  • Team Sprad is serving @ the community Thanksgiving dinner
  • Take your kiddos to the local nursing home w/ gifts & love for the residents
  • Provide a meal for a family in need
  • Have the family in need over to your house for Thanksgiving
  • When your guest’s arrive, have them write on a piece a paper what they are thankful for.  Read it aloud and everyone tries to guess.
  • Skype grandma/grandpa and tell they why you are thankful for them

ADD YOUR IDEAS TO THE CONVERSATION?