Friend vs Parent We all liked to be liked, right? We all want many friends, and, for those we spend a large chunk of time with, we want them to be enthused by our interactions. One can never have too many friends. Now, while I couldn't agree more, that sentiment does not actually apply to your children. In fact, I have bad news for you: you cannot be your child's friend if you want to be an effective parent. I think one of the hardest things for parents to understand when

I am a morning runner. There’s nothing quite like a morning run. Especially now that the humidity is down and the moisture I feel on my skin is a nice (little) bit of sweat; I don’t look like I showered in my running clothes as I did when the humidity was at peak. Living in the tropics, there is no snow on the ground, and running doesn’t involve any ice skating (in running shoes) or extra layers. ‘Winter’ this year meant one morning of long sleeves; shorts and a tank are

I think one of the hardest things for parents to understand when they are having problems with respect from their kids is that it is probably because they are trying too hard to be buddies with their kids, and to be liked by their kids and their kids’ friends. You are not your kid’s friend, you are their parent. And there really isn’t a way to be both. Ouch, right? I mean, who doesn’t want to be liked by their kid, right? Let me explain this a different way. One of the w

United we stand, divided they walk all over us There is truth to the saying that a united front will be stronger than two individuals. What other statement has truth? Your child(ren) has skills that even a highly-paid terrorist negotiator would envy. Your child knows how to work each side of the table, knows strengths and weaknesses of each player, can read every poker face and – perhaps most admirable – can make any other person involved in the deal change their mind with