Reading minute milestones

If your kids are past the "read to me" stage, you’ll need to try a different approach. One way is to set "minute milestones." Set up a chart and have your kids record how many minutes they read each day – you might want to set a 10-minute daily minimum. This is reading done outside of homework. Then, each time they hit the 100-minute mark; do something special for them. You can also apply this approach by keeping track of the number of books they read. Set a goal and a deadline. Agree on a reward for reaching the mark, and let the doorways of imagination swing open for your children.

For a recommended reading list for your kids, click here!

More family dinners = better kids

According to Parade magazine, a recent study from the University of Minnesota reported that teens who had regular meals with their parents had better grades and were less likely to be depressed. Harvard University reports that children are fifteen percent less likely to be overweight if they eat with their families.

Researchers at Emory University found that preteens whose parents tell family stories at dinner have higher self-esteem and better peer relationships. And a study at Columbia University showed that teens who have two or fewer family dinners a week are more likely to smoke, drink and hang out with sexually active friends. And they are six times more likely to use marijuana. The study also revealed that 84% of teens said they’d rather eat with their parents than alone.

Cut to the chase. If you're not having dinner regularly with your kids, you're not being a good father. For a different, better and realistic way to eat more meals together as a family, click here!

Pyrrhic victories aren't worth it

Pyrrhic victories aren’t worth it

In 280 B.C., Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, defeated the Roman armies, but at such cost to his own troops that he was unable to follow up and attack Rome itself.

He remarked, "One more such victory and we are lost." His statement and situation are reflected in our modern day adjective "pyrrhic."

As a father, do you have a lot of pyrrhic victories -- where you win the battle but lose the war?

You may make your point in an argument, but if you crush your child’s soul by belittling them and scarring them, what have you really won? A whole lot of alienation.

So pick your battles and always dress your words with grace and sympathy.

Remember, victory as a father is a thriving relationship with your children. Anything less is massive defeat.

Cut down on conflict using three discipline basics, click here.

Teaching an invaluable work ethic

Note: Today, my son Emmanuel Grant turns 8. He was born at 12:40am January 1, 2000. My father, Edward Grant II is also a day older. He was born January 1, 1953. Happy Birthday fellas!


According to World magazine, skipping work just got a lot easier.

"Millions of Americans work dead-end jobs, and sometimes they just need a day off," reasons John Liddell, who helped found Vision Matters, which sells excuse notes as part of its Excused Absence Network.

"People are going to lie anyway," said Liddell, who sells dishonest employees fake jury duty notices, forged doctor notes or a funeral program with their name listed among the pallbearers.

We would count John's ethical fallacies if we had time. But I want to focus on the lack of a good work ethic in our country and how you can swim upstream to make sure your kids not only love what they do when they get older, but take pride in doing it with excellence.

It starts with giving your children chores.

Find out how to avoid The Chore Wars - click here

What could destroy America

Theodore Roosevelt said, "The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life."

I believe the same could be said of our families. Talk about Roosevelt's quote around the dinner table tonight and get your family's input.

Have your kids take a quiz to see how well you're doing as a father, click here!

Repeat Yourself

Fifty percent of our speaking involves the recycling of the same 100 words. Even in Shakespeare's works, 40 words make up forty percent of the text in his plays. We repeat words a lot, so why not make them positive words that will encourage our children?

How many "I love you" and "I'm proud of you because..." statements have you spoken lately to your children? No matter how many times, it's still not enough. Intentionally repeat yourself often.

Need some conversation starters? Click here!

A beautiful family

Jay and Suzanne Faske of Brenham, Texas are the embodiment of All Pro Dad and iMom as the parents of 15 children. Three are biological and thirteen are adopted from India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan and Colombia. Think any of these kids harbor the least bit of bitterness? Ask Jay. Once, when the Faske family already numbered in the double digits, he called a family meeting. "You have two choices," he said. "Either you can have a swimming pool, or we could adopt more children. But not both." The children cast their votes on strips of paper. "Not one voted for the pool," Jay says, still in disbelief. And their numbers increased. What a beautiful family.

Is adoption an option for your family? Find out here.